Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber From Brazil: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures, 11538-11540 [2017-03631]

Download as PDF 11538 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 36 / Friday, February 24, 2017 / Notices period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, we will make our final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, we are notifying the International Trade Commission (ITC) of our preliminary affirmative determination. If our final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after our final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. This determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: February 16, 2017. Ronald K. Lorentzen, Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Appendix I Scope of the Investigation For purposes of this investigation, the product covered is cold-polymerized emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESB rubber). The scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to, ESB rubber in primary forms, bales, granules, crumbs, pellets, powders, plates, sheets, strip, etc. ESB rubber consists of non-pigmented rubbers and oil-extended non-pigmented rubbers, both of which contain at least one percent of organic acids from the emulsion polymerization process. ESB rubber is produced and sold in accordance with a generally accepted set of product specifications issued by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP). The scope of the investigation covers grades of ESB rubber included in the IISRP 1500 and 1700 series of synthetic rubbers. The 1500 grades are light in color and are often described as ‘‘Clear’’ or ‘‘White Rubber.’’ The 1700 grades are oil-extended and thus darker in color, and are often called ‘‘Brown Rubber.’’ Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are products which are manufactured by blending ESB rubber with other polymers, high styrene resin master batch, carbon black master batch (i.e., IISRP 1600 series and 1800 series) and latex (an intermediate product). The products subject to this investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 4002.19.0015 and 4002.19.0019 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). ESB rubber is described by Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry No. 9003–55–8. This CAS number also refers to other types of styrene butadiene rubber. Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry number are provided for convenience VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Feb 23, 2017 Jkt 241001 and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Scope Comments V. Discussion of the Methodology A. Determination of the Comparison Method B. Results of the Differential Pricing Analysis VI. Date of Sale VII. Product Comparisons VIII. Export Price and Constructed Export Price IX. Normal Value A. Home Market Viability B. Level of Trade C. Cost of Production (COP) Analysis 1. Calculation of COP 2. Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices 3. Results of the COP Test D. Calculation of NV Based on Comparison Market Prices X. Application of Facts Available and Use of Adverse Inference A. Application of Facts Available B. Use of Adverse Inference C. Selection and Corroboration of the AFA Rate XI. Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, In Part A. Legal Framework B. Critical Circumstances Analysis C. Analysis XII. Currency Conversion XIII. Conclusion FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Drew Jackson, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–4406. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background International Trade Administration This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). The Department published the notice of initiation of this investigation on August 19, 2016.1 The Department postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation until February 16, 2017.2 For a complete description of the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.3 A list of topics included in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance’s Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https:// access.trade.gov, and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, room B8024 of the main Department of Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed Preliminary Decision Memorandum and the electronic version are identical in content. [A–351–849] Scope of the Investigation Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber From Brazil: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures The product covered by this investigation is ESB rubber from Brazil. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, see Appendix I. [FR Doc. 2017–03637 Filed 2–23–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) preliminarily determines that emulsion styrenebutadiene rubber (ESB rubber) from Brazil is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. DATES: Effective February 24, 2017. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1 See Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Mexico and Poland: Initiation of Less Than Fair Value Investigations, 81 FR 55438 (August 19, 2016) (Initiation Notice). 2 See Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, and Poland: Postponement of Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value Investigations, 81 FR 85208 (November 25, 2016). 3 See Memorandum to Ronald K. Lorentzen, Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, from Gary Taverman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Operations, entitled, ‘‘Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Determination in the Less Than Fair Value Investigation of Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil,’’ dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum). E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 36 / Friday, February 24, 2017 / Notices Scope Comments In accordance with the preamble to the Department’s regulations,4 the Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).5 No interested party commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. The Department is not preliminarily modifying the scope language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice. Methodology The Department is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. Constructed export prices have been calculated in accordance with section 772(b) of the Act. Normal value (NV) is calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. For a full description of the methodology underlying our preliminary conclusions, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances In accordance with section 733(e) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we preliminarily find that critical circumstances do not exist for mandatory respondent, Arlanxeo Brasil S.A. (Arlanxeo Brasil), or for exporters and producers not individually investigated (i.e., ‘‘all others’’). For a full description of the methodology and results of our critical circumstances analysis, see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum. All-Others Rate Sections 733(d)(1)(A)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that in the preliminary determination the Department shall determine an estimated all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually investigated, which shall be an amount equal to the weighted average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins established for exporters and producers individually investigated, excluding any zero and de minimis margins, and any margins determined entirely under section 776 of the Act. The Department calculated a company-specific rate for Arlanxeo Brasil that is not zero, de minimis or determined entirely under section 776 of the Act. Therefore, for purposes of determining the ‘‘all-others’’ rate and pursuant to section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act, we are using the weighted-average dumping margin calculated for 4 See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997). 5 See Initiation Notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Feb 23, 2017 Jkt 241001 11539 Arlanxeo Brasil as the estimated weighted-average dumping margin assigned to all other producers and exporters of the merchandise under consideration. encouraged to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the issue; (2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a table of authorities. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to request a Preliminary Determination hearing, limited to issues raised in the The Department preliminarily case and rebuttal briefs, must submit a determines that the following weighted- written request to the Assistant average dumping margins exist: Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Weighted- Commerce, within 30 days after the date average of publication of this notice. Requests Exporter/producer dumping should contain the party’s name, margins address, and telephone number, the (percent) number of participants, whether any Arlanxeo Brasil S.A. ................... 34.44 participant is a foreign national, and a All-Others .................................... 34.44 list of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, the Suspension of Liquidation Department intends to hold the hearing at the U.S. Department of Commerce, In accordance with section 733(d)(2) 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., of the Act, the Department will direct Washington, DC 20230, at a time and U.S. Customs and Border Protection date to be determined. Parties should (CBP) to suspend liquidation of subject confirm by telephone the date, time, and merchandise as described in the scope location of the hearing two days before of the investigation section entered, or the scheduled date. withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of Postponement of Final Determination publication of this notice in the Federal and Extension of Provisional Measures Register, as discussed below. Further, Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides pursuant to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the that a final determination may be Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), the postponed until not later than 135 days Department will instruct CBP to require after the date of the publication of the a cash deposit equal to the weightedpreliminary determination if, in the average amount by which normal value event of an affirmative preliminary exceeds U.S. price. These suspension of determination, a request for such liquidation instructions will remain in postponement is made by exporters who effect until further notice. account for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise, or in Disclosure We intend to disclose the calculations the event of a negative preliminary determination, a request for such performed to interested parties in this postponement is made by Petitioners. proceeding within five days of the date Section 351.210(e)(2) of the of publication of this notice in Department’s regulations requires that accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b). requests by respondents for Verification postponement of a final antidumping determination be accompanied by a As provided in section 782(i) of the request for extension of provisional Act, we intend to verify information measures from a four-month period to a relied upon in making our final period not more than six months in determination. duration. Public Comment On January 17, 2017, pursuant to 19 Case briefs or other written comments CFR 351.210(e), Arlanxeo Brasil requested that the Department postpone may be submitted to the Assistant the final determination and that Secretary for Enforcement and provisional measures be extended to a Compliance no later than seven days period not to exceed six months.7 In after the date on which the final accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of verification report is issued in this the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), proceeding, and rebuttal briefs, limited because: (1) Our preliminary to issues raised in case briefs, may be determination is affirmative; (2) the submitted no later than five days after requesting exporter accounts for a 6 the deadline date for case briefs. significant proportion of exports of the Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case briefs or 7 See Letter to the Secretary of Commerce from rebuttal briefs in this proceeding are Arlanxeo Brasil, entitled, ‘‘Emulsion Styrene6 See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements). PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Butadiene Rubber from Brazil: Arlanxeo’s Request for Extension of Final Determination,’’ dated January 17, 2017. E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1 11540 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 36 / Friday, February 24, 2017 / Notices subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, we are postponing the final determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, we will make our final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, we are notifying the International Trade Commission (ITC) of our preliminary determination. If our final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after our final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. This determination is issued and published in accordance with sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c). Dated: February 16, 2017. Ronald K. Lorentzen, Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Appendix I Scope of the Investigation For purposes of this investigation, the product covered is cold-polymerized emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESB rubber). The scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to, ESB rubber in primary forms, bales, granules, crumbs, pellets, powders, plates, sheets, strip, etc. ESB rubber consists of non-pigmented rubbers and oil-extended non-pigmented rubbers, both of which contain at least one percent of organic acids from the emulsion polymerization process. ESB rubber is produced and sold in accordance with a generally accepted set of product specifications issued by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP). The scope of the investigation covers grades of ESB rubber included in the IISRP 1500 and 1700 series of synthetic rubbers. The 1500 grades are light in color and are often described as ‘‘Clear’’ or ‘‘White Rubber.’’ The 1700 grades are oil-extended and thus darker in color, and are often called ‘‘Brown Rubber.’’ Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are products which are manufactured by blending ESB rubber with other polymers, high styrene resin master batch, carbon black master batch (i.e., IISRP 1600 series and 1800 series) and latex (an intermediate product). The products subject to this investigation are currently classifiable under subheadings 4002.19.0015 and 4002.19.0019 of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Feb 23, 2017 Jkt 241001 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). ESB rubber is described by Chemical Abstract Services (‘‘CAS’’) Registry No. 9003–55–8. This CAS number also refers to other types of styrene butadiene rubber. Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry number are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Scope Comments V. Discussion of the Methodology A. Determination of the Comparison Method B. Results of the Differential Pricing Analysis VI. Date of Sale VII. Product Comparisons VIII. Constructed Export Price IX. Normal Value A. Home Market Viability B. Level of Trade C. Cost of Production (COP) Analysis 1. Calculation of COP 2. Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices 3. Results of the COP Test D. Calculation of NV Based on Comparison-Market Prices X. Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances A. Legal Framework B. Critical Circumstances Analysis C. Analysis XI. Currency Conversion XII. Conclusion [FR Doc. 2017–03631 Filed 2–23–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 150901797–7177–02] RIN 0648–XE163 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List Thorny Skate as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; 12-month finding and availability of status review document. AGENCY: We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata) in response to a petition to list this species. Based on the best scientific and SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 commercial information available, including the status review report, and taking into account ongoing efforts to protect this species, we have determined that the listing of a Northwest Atlantic (NWA) distinct population segment (DPS) or a U.S. DPS is not warranted at this time. While the petition only sought the listing of one of two alternative DPSs, we exercised our discretion to consider whether the listing of the species at the taxonomic level is warranted. We conclude that thorny skate is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range or likely to become so in the foreseeable future. DATES: This finding was made on February 24, 2017. ADDRESSES: The status review document for thorny skate is available electronically at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ pr/species/notwarranted.htm. You may also obtain a copy by submitting a request to the Protected Resources Division, NMFS GARFO, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Attention: Thorny Skate 12-month Finding. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Damon-Randall, NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 978–282– 8485; or Marta Nammack, NMFS Office of Protected Resources, 301–427–8469. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background We received a petition, dated May 28, 2015, from Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and Defenders of Wildlife (DW) requesting that we list a ‘‘Northwest Atlantic DPS’’ of thorny skate as threatened or endangered under the ESA, or, as an alternative, a ‘‘U.S. DPS’’ as threatened or endangered. The petition also requests we designate critical habitat for thorny skate. In response to this petition, we published a ‘‘positive’’ 90-finding on October 26, 2015 (80 FR 65175), in which we concluded that the petition presented substantial scientific and commercial information indicating that listing under the ESA may be warranted, and a review of the status of the species was initiated. We then performed a detailed review and determined that the best available scientific and commercial information does not support a listing. The resulting status review report included an indepth review of the available scientific literature, an analysis of the five ESA section 4(a)(1) factors (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1)(A)–(E)), and an assessment of extinction risk. The status review report was independently peer reviewed by external experts. This listing determination is based on the status E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM 24FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11538-11540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03631]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[A-351-849]


Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber From Brazil: Preliminary 
Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Negative 
Determination of Critical Circumstances, Postponement of Final 
Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures

AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) preliminarily 
determines that emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESB rubber) from 
Brazil is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less 
than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation (POI) is July 1, 
2015, through June 30, 2016.

DATES: Effective February 24, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Drew Jackson, AD/CVD Operations, 
Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-4406.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 
733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). The Department 
published the notice of initiation of this investigation on August 19, 
2016.\1\ The Department postponed the preliminary determination of this 
investigation until February 16, 2017.\2\ For a complete description of 
the events that followed the initiation of this investigation, see the 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum.\3\ A list of topics included in the 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum is included as Appendix II to this 
notice. The Preliminary Decision Memorandum is a public document and is 
on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). 
ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov, 
and to all parties in the Central Records Unit, room B8024 of the main 
Department of Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the 
Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at https://enforcement.trade.gov/frn/. The signed Preliminary Decision Memorandum 
and the electronic version are identical in content.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil, the 
Republic of Korea, Mexico and Poland: Initiation of Less Than Fair 
Value Investigations, 81 FR 55438 (August 19, 2016) (Initiation 
Notice).
    \2\ See Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil, the 
Republic of Korea, Mexico, and Poland: Postponement of Preliminary 
Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value Investigations, 81 FR 
85208 (November 25, 2016).
    \3\ See Memorandum to Ronald K. Lorentzen, Acting Assistant 
Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, from Gary Taverman, 
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Operations, entitled, ``Decision Memorandum for 
the Preliminary Determination in the Less Than Fair Value 
Investigation of Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil,'' 
dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice 
(Preliminary Decision Memorandum).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scope of the Investigation

    The product covered by this investigation is ESB rubber from 
Brazil. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, 
see Appendix I.

[[Page 11539]]

Scope Comments

    In accordance with the preamble to the Department's regulations,\4\ 
the Initiation Notice set aside a period of time for parties to raise 
issues regarding product coverage (i.e., scope).\5\ No interested party 
commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the 
Initiation Notice. The Department is not preliminarily modifying the 
scope language as it appeared in the Initiation Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, 62 FR 27296, 
27323 (May 19, 1997).
    \5\ See Initiation Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Methodology

    The Department is conducting this investigation in accordance with 
section 731 of the Act. Constructed export prices have been calculated 
in accordance with section 772(b) of the Act. Normal value (NV) is 
calculated in accordance with section 773 of the Act. For a full 
description of the methodology underlying our preliminary conclusions, 
see the Preliminary Decision Memorandum.

Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances

    In accordance with section 733(e) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.206, we 
preliminarily find that critical circumstances do not exist for 
mandatory respondent, Arlanxeo Brasil S.A. (Arlanxeo Brasil), or for 
exporters and producers not individually investigated (i.e., ``all 
others''). For a full description of the methodology and results of our 
critical circumstances analysis, see the Preliminary Decision 
Memorandum.

All-Others Rate

    Sections 733(d)(1)(A)(ii) and 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act provide that 
in the preliminary determination the Department shall determine an 
estimated all-others rate for all exporters and producers not 
individually investigated, which shall be an amount equal to the 
weighted average of the estimated weighted-average dumping margins 
established for exporters and producers individually investigated, 
excluding any zero and de minimis margins, and any margins determined 
entirely under section 776 of the Act.
    The Department calculated a company-specific rate for Arlanxeo 
Brasil that is not zero, de minimis or determined entirely under 
section 776 of the Act. Therefore, for purposes of determining the 
``all-others'' rate and pursuant to section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act, we 
are using the weighted-average dumping margin calculated for Arlanxeo 
Brasil as the estimated weighted-average dumping margin assigned to all 
other producers and exporters of the merchandise under consideration.

Preliminary Determination

    The Department preliminarily determines that the following 
weighted-average dumping margins exist:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Weighted-
                                                                average
                      Exporter/producer                         dumping
                                                                margins
                                                               (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arlanxeo Brasil S.A.........................................       34.44
All-Others..................................................       34.44
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suspension of Liquidation

    In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, the Department 
will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend 
liquidation of subject merchandise as described in the scope of the 
investigation section entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for 
consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register, as discussed below. Further, pursuant to section 
733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), the Department will 
instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the weighted-average 
amount by which normal value exceeds U.S. price. These suspension of 
liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice.

Disclosure

    We intend to disclose the calculations performed to interested 
parties in this proceeding within five days of the date of publication 
of this notice in accordance with 19 CFR 351.224(b).

Verification

    As provided in section 782(i) of the Act, we intend to verify 
information relied upon in making our final determination.

Public Comment

    Case briefs or other written comments may be submitted to the 
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance no later than seven 
days after the date on which the final verification report is issued in 
this proceeding, and rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in case 
briefs, may be submitted no later than five days after the deadline 
date for case briefs.\6\ Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), 
parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this proceeding 
are encouraged to submit with each argument: (1) A statement of the 
issue; (2) a brief summary of the argument; and (3) a table of 
authorities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See 19 CFR 351.309; see also 19 CFR 351.303 (for general 
filing requirements).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), interested parties who wish to 
request a hearing, limited to issues raised in the case and rebuttal 
briefs, must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for 
Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, within 30 days 
after the date of publication of this notice. Requests should contain 
the party's name, address, and telephone number, the number of 
participants, whether any participant is a foreign national, and a list 
of the issues to be discussed. If a request for a hearing is made, the 
Department intends to hold the hearing at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, at a time 
and date to be determined. Parties should confirm by telephone the 
date, time, and location of the hearing two days before the scheduled 
date.

Postponement of Final Determination and Extension of Provisional 
Measures

    Section 735(a)(2) of the Act provides that a final determination 
may be postponed until not later than 135 days after the date of the 
publication of the preliminary determination if, in the event of an 
affirmative preliminary determination, a request for such postponement 
is made by exporters who account for a significant proportion of 
exports of the subject merchandise, or in the event of a negative 
preliminary determination, a request for such postponement is made by 
Petitioners. Section 351.210(e)(2) of the Department's regulations 
requires that requests by respondents for postponement of a final 
antidumping determination be accompanied by a request for extension of 
provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not more than 
six months in duration.
    On January 17, 2017, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), Arlanxeo Brasil 
requested that the Department postpone the final determination and that 
provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six 
months.\7\ In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 
CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) Our preliminary determination is 
affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant 
proportion of exports of the

[[Page 11540]]

subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, we 
are postponing the final determination and extending the provisional 
measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six 
months. Accordingly, we will make our final determination no later than 
135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary 
determination.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Letter to the Secretary of Commerce from Arlanxeo 
Brasil, entitled, ``Emulsion Styrene-Butadiene Rubber from Brazil: 
Arlanxeo's Request for Extension of Final Determination,'' dated 
January 17, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

International Trade Commission Notification

    In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, we are notifying the 
International Trade Commission (ITC) of our preliminary determination. 
If our final determination is affirmative, the ITC will determine 
before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary 
determination or 45 days after our final determination whether these 
imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the 
U.S. industry.
    This determination is issued and published in accordance with 
sections 733(f) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(c).

    Dated: February 16, 2017.
Ronald K. Lorentzen,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

Appendix I



Scope of the Investigation

    For purposes of this investigation, the product covered is cold-
polymerized emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (ESB rubber). The 
scope of the investigation includes, but is not limited to, ESB 
rubber in primary forms, bales, granules, crumbs, pellets, powders, 
plates, sheets, strip, etc. ESB rubber consists of non-pigmented 
rubbers and oil-extended non-pigmented rubbers, both of which 
contain at least one percent of organic acids from the emulsion 
polymerization process.
    ESB rubber is produced and sold in accordance with a generally 
accepted set of product specifications issued by the International 
Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP). The scope of the 
investigation covers grades of ESB rubber included in the IISRP 1500 
and 1700 series of synthetic rubbers. The 1500 grades are light in 
color and are often described as ``Clear'' or ``White Rubber.'' The 
1700 grades are oil-extended and thus darker in color, and are often 
called ``Brown Rubber.''
    Specifically excluded from the scope of this investigation are 
products which are manufactured by blending ESB rubber with other 
polymers, high styrene resin master batch, carbon black master batch 
(i.e., IISRP 1600 series and 1800 series) and latex (an intermediate 
product).
    The products subject to this investigation are currently 
classifiable under subheadings 4002.19.0015 and 4002.19.0019 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). ESB rubber 
is described by Chemical Abstract Services (``CAS'') Registry No. 
9003-55-8. This CAS number also refers to other types of styrene 
butadiene rubber. Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry 
number are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the 
written description of the scope of this investigation is 
dispositive.

Appendix II

List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum

I. Summary
II. Background
III. Period of Investigation
IV. Scope Comments
V. Discussion of the Methodology
    A. Determination of the Comparison Method
    B. Results of the Differential Pricing Analysis
VI. Date of Sale
VII. Product Comparisons
VIII. Constructed Export Price
IX. Normal Value
    A. Home Market Viability
    B. Level of Trade
    C. Cost of Production (COP) Analysis
    1. Calculation of COP
    2. Test of Comparison Market Sales Prices
    3. Results of the COP Test
    D. Calculation of NV Based on Comparison-Market Prices
X. Preliminary Negative Determination of Critical Circumstances
    A. Legal Framework
    B. Critical Circumstances Analysis
    C. Analysis
XI. Currency Conversion
XII. Conclusion

[FR Doc. 2017-03631 Filed 2-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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