FACT SHEET

Final Determinations in the Antidumping Duty Investigations on

Imports of Carboxymethylcellulose from Finland, Mexico,

the Netherlands, and Sweden

On May 10, 2005, the Department of Commerce announced its final determinations in the antidumping duty investigations of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from Finland, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The Department found that producers/exporters in the investigated countries have sold CMC in the U.S. market at less than fair value, with margins of: 6.65 percent (Finland), 12.61 percent (Mexico), 13.39 to 14.88 percent (the Netherlands), and 25.29 percent (Sweden).

Application of Facts Available: On September 24, 2004, the sole respondent from Finland, Noviant Oy, and from Sweden, Noviant AB, advised the Department that they would no longer participate in the investigations. Because these companies failed to cooperate, the final antidumping margins of 6.65 percent (Finland) and 25.29 percent (Sweden) are based on total adverse facts available.

Next Steps: The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is scheduled to announce its final injury determinations on or about June 27, 2005. If the ITC makes affirmative determinations that imports of carboxymethylcellulose are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry in the United States, the Department will issue antidumping orders and instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to collect antidumping duties on the subject imports. If the ITC makes negative injury determinations, the investigations will be terminated and no orders will be issued.

Petitioner: The petition requesting these investigations was filed on June 9, 2004, by Aqualon Company (a division of Hercules Incorporated), of Wilmington, Delaware, the sole domestic producer of purified CMC.

Product Description: The scope of these investigations covers purified carboxymethylcellulose, sometimes also referred to as purified sodium CMC, polyanionic cellulose, or cellulose gum, which is a white to off-white, non-toxic, odorless, biodegradable powder, comprising sodium carboxymethylcellulose that has been refined and purified to a minimum assay of 90 percent. Purified CMC does not include unpurified or crude CMC, CMC Fluidized Polymer Suspensions, and CMC that is cross-linked through heat treatment. Purified CMC is CMC that has undergone one or more purification operations which, at a minimum, reduce the remaining salt and other by-product portion of the product to less than 10 percent. CMC is used in a wide variety of products, including: food (ice cream, frozen yogurt, and buttermilk), pharmaceuticals (lotions and toothpaste), paper, and in oilfield applications.

The merchandise subject to these investigations is classified under subheading 3912.31.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. This tariff classification is provided for convenience and customs purposes; however, the written description of the scope of these investigations is dispositive.

Final Dumping Margins:

Case Calendar:

* This will take place only in the event of final affirmative determinations by the ITC.

Import Statistics:

 Source: http://dataweb.usitc.gov. The Commission data are for a “basket category” subheading of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and, therefore, include imports of both subject purified CMC as well as non-subject crude and cross-linked CMC.