Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and
Postponement of Final Determination: Certain Expandable Polystyrene
Resins from Indonesia and the Republic of Korea

On June 21, 2000, the Department of Commerce announced its preliminary determinations in the above-referenced antidumping duty investigations. The period of investigation for the case is October 1, 1998, through September 30, 1999. This investigation was initiated on December 13, 1999.

Petitioners

BASF Corporation (New Jersey), Huntsman Expandable Polymers Company LC (Utah), Nova Chemicals Inc. (Pennsylvania), and Styrochem U.S. Ltd. Corporation (Pennsylvania)

Respondents

Korea

Cheil Industries, Inc.

Shinho Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

Indonesia

PT Risjad Brasali Styrindo

Case Calendar:

Petitions filed: November 22, 1999

Initiation: December 13, 1999

ITC Preliminary Determination: January 7, 2000

ITA Preliminary Determination (extended): June 20, 2000

ITA Final Determination (statutory): September 5, 2000 (Indonesia Only)

ITA Final Determination (extended): November 6, 2000* (Korea Only)

ITC Final Determinaton (estimated): October 20, 2000* (Indonesia Only)

ITC Final Determination (estimated): December 20, 2000* (Korea Only)

Order, if Final is affirmative (estimated): October 27, 2000 (Indonesia Only)

Order, if final is affirmative (estimated): December 27, 2000*

* Estimated

If DOC makes an affirmative final determination, the ITC must make a final injury determination within 45 days. If that determination is affirmative, DOC will issue a duty order.

Product Description

The merchandise subject to this investigation includes certain expandable polystyrene resins in primary forms; namely, raw material or resin manufactured in the form of polystyrene beads, whether of regular (shape) type or modified (block) type, which are principally used for packing and insulation. The technical language describing the scope of this investigation will be included in the notice of the preliminary determination which will be published in the Federal Register.

Margins: Preliminary Determination.

Korea

Cheil Industries, Inc.....................................................................1.80 percent (de minimis)*

Shinho Petrochemical Co., Ltd....................................................5.14 percent

All Others...................................................................................5.14 percent

* No cash deposit will be collected by Customs

Indonesia

PT Risjad Brasali Styrindo...........................................................96.65(highest petition rate)

All Others.....................................................................................95.79(average petition rate)