On April 3, 2024, antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions were filed against imports of certain epoxy resins from China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The petitions were filed by the U.S. Epoxy Resin Producers Ad Hoc Coalition, consisting of two U.S. producers, Olin Corporation and Westlake Corporation.
Epoxy resins are used in a wide range of applications, including protective coatings, paints, construction (flooring), composite materials, electrical and electronics laminates, and adhesives.
South Korea and Taiwan account for over 60 percent of the total U.S. imports of epoxy resins. Epoxy resins from China are already subject to China Section 301 tariffs. The petitioners believe that a significant volume of Chinese epoxy resins is being imported into the United States through Canada.
These AD/CVD investigations will be conducted by two federal agencies. The International Trade Commission (“ITC”) will investigate whether the subject imports are a cause of injury. The U.S. Department of Commerce (“DOC”) will investigate whether the subject imports are being sold to the United States at less than fair value (“dumping”) or benefit from unfair government subsidies. Both agencies have to make affirmative findings of injury or threat of injury (ITC) or of dumping or subsidies (DOC) in order for AD/CVD duties to be imposed on the subject imports.
Scope
The petition proposed the scope definition for this case that identifies the physical characteristics of the products covered, and also identifies certain exclusions from the scope. See the attached for the petition’s proposed scope definition here.
Alleged AD/CVD Margins.
Petitioner calculated estimated dumping margins for the subject countries:
China – 264.87-351.97%
India – 11.43- 17.50%
South Korea – 30.01-69.42%
Taiwan – 87.19- 136.02%
Thailand – 163.94% – 205.63%
Petitioner did not provide any specific subsidy margin calculations.
Named Exporters/ Producers
Petitioner included a list of companies that it believes are producers and exporters of the subject merchandise. See attached list here.
Named U.S. Importers
Petitioner included a list of companies that it believes are U.S. importers of the subject merchandise. See attached list here.
Estimated Schedule of Investigations.
April 3, 2024 – Petitions filed
April 23, 2024 – DOC initiates investigation
April 24, 2024 – ITC Staff Conference
May 18, 2024 – ITC preliminary determination
August 31, 2024 – DOC CVD preliminary determination (assuming extended deadline) (6/27/24 – unextended)
October 30, 2024 – DOC AD preliminary determination (assuming extended deadline)
(9/10/24 – unextended)
March 14, 2025 – DOC final determination (extended)
April 28, 2025 – ITC final determination (extended)
May 5, 2025 – DOC AD/CVD orders issued (extended)
