U.S. probe finds material injury from ESBR imports

WASHINGTON—A U.S. investigation has found that "there is a reasonable indication" that the local industry is materially injured by the imports of emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESBR) from Czechia, Italy and Russia

The International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation was carried out upon a petition filed by Texas-based Lion Elastomers in November 2021, which alleged that there was a "clear pattern of unfair pricing" of ESBR from these countries.

As a result of the affirmative determination, the U.S. Department of Commerce will probe the imports and deliver its preliminary anti-dumping duty determinations by April 25, said the ITC in a Dec. 29 statement.

Lion Elastomer's petition covers grades of ESBR included in the IISRP 1500 and 1700 series of synthetic rubbers sold in all solid forms, including, but not limited to, bales, granules, crumbs, pellets, powders, plates, sheets and strip.

Excluded from the list are ESBR grades that are manufactured by blending ESBR with other polymers, high styrene resin masterbatch, carbon black masterbatch (1600 and 1800 grades) and latex.

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

According to the petition, Lion is claiming a dumping margin of 35.87 percent for ESBR imported from the Czech Republic, 44.51 percent from Italy and 67.87 percent from Russia.