Document headings vary by document type but may contain
                    the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part
                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly
                      related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in
                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory
                      Actions See the
                    Document Drafting Handbook
                    for more details.
 Department of Commerce International Trade Administration [A-821-829]
 AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
 SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that granular polytetrafluoroethylene resin (granular PTFE resin) from the Russian Federation (Russia) is being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States at less than fair value (LTFV). The period of investigation is January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
 DATES: Applicable September 2, 2021.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaron Moore or William Horn, AD/CVD Operations, Office VIII, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3640 or (202) 482-4868, respectively.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This preliminary determination is made in accordance with section 733(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Commerce published the notice of initiation of this investigation on February 23, 2021.[1]
                    
                     On June 11, 2021, Commerce postponed the preliminary determination of this investigation and the deadline is now August 25, 2021.[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.*
                     In addition, a complete version of the Preliminary Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly at 
                    *http://enforcement.trade.gov/​frn/​.* Scope of the Investigation The product covered by this investigation is granular PTFE from Russia. For a complete description of the scope of this investigation, 
                    *see*
                     Appendix I. Scope Comments In accordance with the 
                    *Preamble*
                     to Commerce's regulations,[4]
                    
                     the 
                    *Initiation Notice*
                     set aside a period of time for parties to raise issues regarding product coverage (
                    *i.e.,*
                     scope).[5]
                    
                     Certain interested parties commented on the scope of the investigation as it appeared in the 
                    *Initiation Notice.*
                     For a summary of the product coverage comments and rebuttal responses submitted to the record for this investigation, and accompanying discussion and analysis of all comments timely received, 
                    *see*
                     the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum.[6]
                    
                     As discussed in the Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum, Commerce is not modifying the scope language as it appeared in the 
                    *Initiation Notice.* No scope case briefs were received prior to the deadline established in the Preliminary Scope Decision 
                    ( print page 49298)
                    Memorandum. There will be no further opportunity for comments on scope-related issues.[7] Methodology Commerce is conducting this investigation in accordance with section 731 of the Act. Commerce has calculated constructed export prices 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 the preliminary determination, 
                    *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 Commerce shall determine an estimated all-others rate for all exporters and producers not individually examined. This rate 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. In this investigation, Commerce calculated an individual estimated weighted-average dumping margin for HaloPolymer OJSC (Halopolymer), the sole mandatory respondent, that is not zero, 
                    *de minimis,*
                     or based entirely on facts otherwise available. Consequently, the rate calculated for Halopolymer is also assigned as the rate for all other producers and exporters, pursuant to section 735(c)(5)(A) of the Act. Preliminary Determination Commerce preliminarily determines that the following estimated weighted-average dumping margins
                    
                     exist: Exporter/producer
Estimated
                             weighted- 
                             average 
                             dumping 
                             margin 
                             (percent)
Cash
                             deposit rate 
                             (adjusted 
                             for subsidy 
                             offsets) 
                             (percent)Halopolymer OJSC 8
17.99
17.36All Others
17.99
17.36
 Suspension of Liquidation In accordance with section 733(d)(2) of the Act, Commerce will direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise, as described in Appendix I, entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of this notice in the 
                    **Federal Register**
                    . Further, pursuant to section 733(d)(1)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(d), Commerce will instruct CBP to require a cash deposit equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin or the estimated all-others rate, as follows: (1) The cash deposit rate for the respondents listed above will be equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margins determined in this preliminary determination; (2) if the exporter is not a respondent identified above, but the producer is, then the cash deposit rate will be equal to the company-specific estimated weighted-average dumping margin established for that producer of the subject merchandise; and (3) the cash deposit rate for all other producers and exporters will be equal to the all-others estimated weighted-average dumping margin. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice. Commerce normally adjusts the estimated weighted-average dumping margin by the amount of export subsidies determined in a companion countervailing duty (CVD) proceeding when CVD provisional measures are in effect. Accordingly, where Commerce has made a preliminary affirmative determination for export subsidies, Commerce has offset the calculated estimated weighted-average dumping margin by the appropriate CVD rate(s). As further explained in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum, we made an adjustment for export subsidies found in the companion CVD investigation.[9]
                    
                     The adjusted rate may be found in the “Preliminary Determination” section's chart of estimated weighted-average dumping margins above. Should provisional measures in the companion CVD investigation expire prior to the expiration of provisional measures in this LTFV investigation, Commerce will direct CBP to begin collecting cash deposits at a rate equal to the estimated weighted-average dumping margin calculated in this preliminary determination unadjusted for export subsidies at the time the CVD provisional measures expire. These suspension of liquidation instructions will remain in effect until further notice. Disclosure Commerce intends to disclose to interested parties its calculations performed in connection with this preliminary determination within five days of any public announcement or, if there is no public announcement, 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)(1) of the Act, Commerce intends to verify the information relied upon in making its final determination. Normally, Commerce verifies information using standard procedures, including an on-site examination of original accounting, financial, and sales documentation. However, due to current travel restrictions in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Commerce is unable to conduct on-site verification in this investigation. Accordingly, we intend to verify the information relied upon in making the final determination through alternative means in lieu of an on-site verification.
                    ( print page 49299) Public Comment Case briefs or other written comments on non-scope issues may be submitted to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. Interested parties will be notified of the timeline for the submission of such case briefs and written comments at a later date. Rebuttal briefs, limited to issues raised in case briefs, may be submitted no later than seven days after the deadline date for case briefs.[10]
                    
                     Note that Commerce has modified certain of its requirements for serving documents containing business proprietary information until further notice.[11]
                    
                     Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309(c)(2) and (d)(2), parties who submit case briefs or rebuttal briefs in this investigation 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. 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, Commerce intends to hold the hearing 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 the petitioner. Section 351.210(e)(2) of Commerce's regulations requires that a request by exporters for postponement of the final 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 August 11, 2021, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.210(e), Halopolymer requested that Commerce postpone the final determination and that provisional measures be extended to a period not to exceed six months.[12]
                    
                     In accordance with section 735(a)(2)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(2)(ii), because: (1) The preliminary determination is affirmative; (2) the requesting exporter accounts for a significant proportion of exports of the subject merchandise; and (3) no compelling reasons for denial exist, Commerce is postponing the final determination and extending the provisional measures from a four-month period to a period not greater than six months. Accordingly, Commerce will make its final determination no later than 135 days after the date of publication of this preliminary determination, pursuant to section 735(a)(2) of the Act. International Trade Commission Notification In accordance with section 733(f) of the Act, Commerce will notify the International Trade Commission (ITC) of its affirmative preliminary determination. If the final determination is affirmative, then the ITC will determine before the later of 120 days after the date of this preliminary determination or 45 days after the final determination whether these imports are materially injuring, or threaten material injury to, the U.S. industry. Notification to Interested Parties 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) and 19 CFR 351.210(g). Dated: August 25, 2021. Christian Marsh, Acting Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
 Appendix I Scope of the Investigation The product covered by this investigation is granular polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin. Granular PTFE resin is covered by the scope of this investigation whether filled or unfilled, whether or not modified, and whether or not containing co-polymer, additives, pigments, or other materials. Also included is PTFE wet raw polymer. The chemical formula for granular PTFE resin is C2F4, and the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry number is 9002-84-0. Subject merchandise includes material matching the above description that has been finished, packaged, or otherwise processed in a third country, including by filling, modifying, compounding, packaging with another product, or performing any other finishing, packaging, or processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigation if performed in the country of manufacture of the granular PTFE resin. The product covered by this investigation does not include dispersion or coagulated dispersion (also known as fine powder) PTFE. PTFE further processed into micropowder, having particle size typically ranging from 1 to 25 microns, and a melt-flow rate no less than 0.1 gram/10 minutes, is excluded from the scope of this investigation. Granular PTFE resin is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheading 3904.61.0010. Subject merchandise may also be classified under HTSUS subheading 3904.69.5000. Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS Number are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope is dispositive. Appendix II List of Topics Discussed in the Preliminary Decision Memorandum I. Summary II. Background III. Period of Investigation IV. Discussion of the Methodology V. Adjustment to Cash Deposit Rate for Export Subsidies VI. Currency Conversion VII. Recommendation


# Footnotes

1.
    
                         
                        *See Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India and the Russian Federation: Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations,*86 FR 10926 (February 23, 2021) (
                        *Initiation Notice*). Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         
                        *See Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India and Russia: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations,*86 FR 31276 (June 11, 2021). Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Decision Memorandum for the Preliminary Affirmative Determination in the Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigation of Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from the Russian Federation,” dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by, this notice (Preliminary Decision Memorandum). Back to Citation
 4.
    
                         
                        *See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,*62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997). Back to Citation
 5.
    
                         
                        *See Initiation Notic*
                        e, 86 FR at 10927. Back to Citation
 6.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Memorandum, “Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India and the Russian Federation: Comments on Scope of Investigations,” dated June 28, 2021 (Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum). Back to Citation
 7.
    
                         Case briefs, other written comments, and rebuttal briefs submitted in response to this preliminary LTFV determination should not include scope-related issues. 
                        *See*
                         Preliminary Scope Decision Memorandum; 
                        *see also*
                         “Public Comment” section of this notice. Back to Citation
 8.
    
                         HaloPolymer OJSC reported that home market manufacturers HaloPolymer Kirovo-Chepetsk, LLC (HPKC), HaloPolymer Perm, OJSC (HPP), and Limited Liability Company First Fluoroplastic Plant (FFP) and home market reseller Limited Liability Company Trading House HaloPolymer (HPTH), are affiliated with HaloPolymer OJSC by common control. This reported affiliation is supported by record evidence. 
                        *See*
                         Halopolymer's Letter, “Section A Questionnaire Response,” dated May 14, 2021, at 6-10 and Exhibits A-2 and A-3. Accordingly, the preliminary rate calculated applies to subject merchandise produced by HPKC, HPP, and FFP and exported by either HPTH or HaloPolymer OJSC. Back to Citation
 9.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Preliminary Decision Memorandum at 11-12. Back to Citation
 10.
    
                         
                        *See*19 CFR 351.309(d); 
                        *see also*19 CFR 351.303 (for general filing requirements). Back to Citation
 11.
    
                         
                        *See Temporary Rule Modifying AD/CVD Service Requirements Due to COVID-10; Extension of Effective Period,*85 FR 41363 (July 10, 2020). Back to Citation
 12.
    
                         
                        *See*
                         Halopolymer's Letter, “Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from the Russian Federation: Request for Extension of Final Determination and Provisional Measures,” dated August 11, 2021. Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2021-18970 Filed 9-1-21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P