Notice of affirmative preliminary determination: antidumping duty investigation of superabsorbent polymers from the Republic of Korea (A-580-914)

1. On 06/07/2022, Commerce published in the Federal Register its affirmative preliminary determination of sales at less than fair value in the antidumping duty investigation of superabsorbent polymers from the Republic of Korea (87 FR 34647). 2. The merchandise covered by this investigation is superabsorbent polymers (SAP), which is cross-linked sodium polyacrylate most commonly conforming to Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number 9003-04-7, where at least 90 percent of the dry matter, by weight on a nominal basis, corrected for moisture content, is comprised of a polymer with a chemical formula of (C3H3O2NaxH1-x)n, where x is within a range of 0.00 - 1.00 and there is no limit to n. The subject merchandise also includes merchandise with a chemical formula of {(C2H3)COONayH(1-y)}n, where y is within a range of 0.00 - 1.00 and there is no limit to n. The subject merchandise includes SAP which is fully neutralized as well as SAP that is not fully neutralized. The subject merchandise may also conform to CAS numbers 25549-84-2, 77751-27-0, 9065-11-6, 9033-79-8, 164715-58-6, 445299-36-5, 912842-45-6, 561012-86-0, 561012-85-9, or 9003- 01-4. All forms and sizes of SAP, regardless of packaging type, including but not limited to granules, pellets, powder, fibers, flakes, liquid, or gel are within the scope of this investigation. The scope also includes SAP whether or not it incorporates additives for anticaking, anti-odor, anti-yellowing, or similar functions. The scope also includes SAP that is combined, commingled, or mixed with other products after final sieving. For such combined products, only the SAP component is covered by the scope of this investigation. SAP that has been combined with other products is included within the scope, regardless of whether the combining occurs in third countries. A combination is excluded from this investigation if the total SAP component of the combination (regardless of the source or sources) comprises less than 50 percent of the combination, on a nominal dry weight basis. SAP is classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheading 3906.90.5000. SAP may also enter the United States under HTSUS 3906.10.0000. Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive. 3. This proceeding has been assigned case number A-580-914. 4. For imports of superabsorbent polymers from the Republic of Korea, CBP shall suspend liquidation of such shipments entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after 06/07/2022. Effective 06/07/2022, CBP shall require, for such entries, a cash deposit equal to the margins for the producer and/or exporter listed below: Producer and/or Exporter: LG Chem, Ltd. Case number: A-580-914-001 Cash deposit rate: 28.74% All Others Case Number: A-580-914-000 Cash Deposit Rate: 28.74% 5. If any entries of this merchandise are exported by a firm other than the producer, then the following instructions apply: A. If the exporter of the subject merchandise does not have its own rate but the producer has its own rate, the cash deposit rate will be the producer's rate. B. Where neither the exporter nor the producer has its own rate or the producer is unknown, use the all-others rate of 28.74 percent to establish the cash deposit. 6. If there are any questions by the importing public regarding this message, please contact the Call Center for the Office of AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at (202) 482-0984. CBP ports should submit their inquiries through authorized CBP channels only. (This message was generated by O#VII:CD/EB.) 7. There are no restrictions on the release of this information. Alexander Amdur