US launches anti-dumping probe against ESBR imports from Czech Republic, Italy, Russia

Port Neches, Texas – Lion Elastomers LLC has filed an anti-dumping petition against the imports of emulsion styrene butadiene rubber into the US from the Czech Republic, Italy and Russia.

The petition, filed with the US department of commerce on 12 Nov, alleges that there is a “clear pattern of unfair pricing” of ESBR from these countries.

This, it claims, has caused material injury to the domestic industry, in the form of “lost sales, decreased production volume and capacity utilisation, lower profit margins, and contractions in labour force retention.”

The 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 which 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.