Marketplace Today Blog

The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that the lightweight thermal paper industry has been harmed by what Appleton contended was unfairly traded imports from China and Germany.

The decision allows the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose duties on imports of lightweight thermal paper from China and Germany.

“We are pleased with the ITC’s decision because it acknowledges the negative impact of unfair trade conditions we have experienced, and it restores a level playing field on which we can compete in this market,” said Mark Richards, Appleton’s CEO. “We appreciate the consideration given to our petition by the ITC and the Department of Commerce and the strong support and testimony provided by our employees, customers, the United Steelworkers, and our state and federal elected representatives during the ITC’s proceedings.”

The Commerce Department Sept. 26 ruled that certain Chinese and German producers and exporters of lightweight thermal paper sold their products in the U.S. at prices below fair market value. The Commerce Department imposed final antidumping duties of 19.77 percent to 115.29 percent on the Chinese companies, and 6.5 percent on the German companies. The Commerce Department also imposed countervailing duties of 13.17 percent to 137.25 percent on Chinese companies for subsidizing imports.

Importers must now post cash deposits equaling the duties with the Department of Commerce; Appleton receives no proceeds or damages, according to an Appleton news release.

Appleton filed petitions with the Commerce Department in September 2007 alleging that China is subsidizing the Chinese lightweight thermal paper industry. Appleton also alleged that lightweight thermal paper was being wrongfully dumped — sold at less than fair market value — by Chinese and German companies.