The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today a preliminary determination that imports of Emulsion Styrene Butadiene Rubber are being dumped in the United States market at unfairly low prices.  The agency found that imports from the four countries are being sold at dumping margins ranging from 44% to 14% below fair value.  As a result, imports of ESBR from those countries will immediately be subject to cash deposits or bonds to offset the amount of the additional duty.

The manufacturers supporting the petition are Lion Elastomers of Port Neches, Texas and East West Copolymer of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  The International Union of Operating Engineers and the United Steel Workers are supporting the petition. 

The petition covers ESBR grades in the IISRP 1500 and 1700 series.  ESBR is used primarily in the production of tires, but it is also used in a variety of other products, including conveyor belts, shoe soles, hoses, roller coverings, and flooring.

The Commerce Department will now verify the information provided by foreign manufacturers in reaching a final determination by July 3, 2017.  At the same time, the US International Trade Commission will conduct a final investigation to determine by August 17, 2017, whether there is material injury to the US producers and workers.  The ITC ruled preliminarily in August 2016 that the alleged dumping is causing material injury.