The United States International Trade Commission has determined that a US industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of certain magnesia carbon bricks from China that the US Department of Commerce has determined are subsidized and from China and Mexico that Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Commissioners Mr Charlotte R Lane, Mr Irving A Williamson and Mr Dean A Pinkert made affirmative determinations. Chairman Mr Deanna Tanner Okun and Commissioners Mr Daniel R Pearson and Ms Shara L Aranoff made affirmative determinations on the basis of threat with respect to China and negative determinations with respect to Mexico.

As a result of the US ITC's affirmative determinations, US DOC will issue a countervailing duty order on imports of these products from China and antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from China and Mexico.

Factual Highlights:
Certain Magnesia Carbon Bricks from China and Mexico
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-468 and 731-TA-1166 and 1167 (Final)

Product Description: The imported products subject to these investigations are certain chemically bonded (resin or pitch), magnesia carbon bricks with a magnesia component of at least 70% magnesia by weight, regardless of the source of raw materials for the MgO, with carbon levels ranging from trace amounts to 30% by weight, regardless of enhancements, (for example, magnesia carbon bricks can be enhanced with coating, grinding, tar impregnation or coking, high temperature heat treatments, anti slip treatments or metal casing) and regardless of whether or not anti oxidants are present (for example antioxidants can be added to the mix from trace amounts to 15% by weight as various metals, metal alloys, and metal carbides).

Status of Proceedings:

1. Types of investigations: Final antidumping and countervailing duty
2. Petitioners: Resco Products Inc, Pittsburgh, PA
3. Investigations instituted by USITC: July 29th 2009
4. Hearing: July 27th 2010
5. USITC vote: August 26th 2010
6. USITC notification of US DOC: September 8th 2010.

US Industry:

1. Number of US firms involved in production of magnesite carbon bricks in 2009: 4
2. Production volume is concentrated in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2009: 92
4. US producers' shipments in 2009: 42,243 short tons
5. US apparent consumption in 2009: (1)
6. Ratio of quantity of total imports to US apparent consumption in 2009: China 67.3%, Mexico (1)

US Imports
1. Quantity of subject imports in 2009: China 33,643 short tons
2. Value of subject imports in 2009: China USD 27 million
Mexico withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.