US rubber probe determines 'no injury’ from Czechia, Russia imports

Washington  – The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has determined that imports of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) imports from Czechia and Russia do not materially injure or threaten US industry.

In June, the US Department of Commerce determined that ESBR imports from the two countries 'were being, or were likely to be, sold in the US at less than fair value'.

However, on 8 Dec, the ITC overwhelmingly voted that the domestic rubber industry was not injured by these synthetic rubber imports.

The investigation followed a November 2021 petition by Lion Elastomers, claiming that EBSR from Czechia, Italy and Russia was being dumped in the US market.

The petition covered grades of ESBR included in the IISRP 1500 and 1700 series of synthetic rubber materials sold in all solid forms.

Commerce determined 26 April that ESBR imported from Italy between 1 Oct 2020 and 30 Sept 2021 was being sold in the US at less than fair value.

Based on its investigation, the US department proposed an anti-dumping rate of 29% on ESBR produced by Versalis.

However, the ITC subsequently terminated its investigations into Versalis after Lion Elastomers withdrew its antidumping duty petition on ESBR from Italy in early May.

According to ITC data, the US imported $41.7 million (€40 million) worth of ESBR during 2021, mainly from Mexico, Russia, Czechia, Germany, and Taiwan.

ESBR is used primarily in tire applications as well as in conveyor belts, shoe soles, hose, roller coverings and flooring.