[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 3 (Thursday, January 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 499-503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28431]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[C-570-072]
Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products From the
People's Republic of China: Initiation of Countervailing Duty
Investigation
AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
DATES: Applicable January 4, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Hill or Robert Galantucci,
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) 482-3518 or (202)
482-2923, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Petition
On November 30, 2017, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce)
received a countervailing duty (CVD) Petition concerning imports of
sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, and derivative product (GNA Products)
from the People's Republic of China (China), filed in proper form on
behalf of PMP Fermentation Products, Inc. (the petitioner).\1\ The CVD
Petition was accompanied by antidumping duty (AD) Petitions concerning
imports of GNA Products from China and France. The petitioner is a
domestic producer of GNA Products.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See Letter from petitioner to the Secretary of Commerce
``Petition for Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: Sodium
Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from the People's
Republic of China and France,'' dated November 30, 2017 (Petition).
\2\ Id. Volume I of the Petition at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On December 5, 2017, Commerce requested supplemental information
pertaining to certain areas of the Petition.\3\ The petitioner filed
responses to these requests on December 7, 2017, which included revised
scope language.\4\ On December 14, 2017, Commerce had a conference call
with the petitioner to discuss the scope of the investigation, and the
petitioner filed revised scope language on December 15, 2017.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Letter from Robert Bolling, Program Manager, AD/CVD
Operation, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance ``Petition for the
Imposition of Countervailing Duties on Imports of Sodium Gluconate,
Gluconic Acid and Derivative Products from the People's Republic of
China: Supplemental Questions,'' dated December 5, 2017.
\4\ See Letter from petitioner to the Secretary of Commerce
``Countervailing Duty Investigation of Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic
Acid and Derivative Products from the People's Republic of China:
PMP's Response to the Department's Supplemental Questions on the
Petition,'' dated December 7, 2017 (General Issues and China CVD
Response).
\5\ See Memorandum from Celeste Chen, International Trade
Analyst, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV to The File ``Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Petitions Covering Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic
Acid, and Derivative Products from the People's Republic of China
and France: Telephone Conversation Regarding Scope Language,'' dated
December 14, 2017 (Phone Memorandum); see also letter from
petitioner to the Secretary of Commerce ``Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic
Acid and Derivative Products from the People's Republic of China and
France: Petitioner's Amendment to Volume I of Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Petition,'' dated December 15, 2017 (Petitioner
Scope Revision).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
amended (the Act), the petitioner alleges that the Government of China
(GOC) is providing countervailable subsidies, within the meaning of
sections 701 and 771(5) of the Act, to producers of GNA Products in
China, and imports of such products are materially injuring, or
threatening material injury to, the domestic GNA Products industry in
the United States. Consistent with section 702(b)(1) of the Act and 19
CFR 351.202(b), for those alleged programs on which we are initiating a
CVD investigation, the Petition is accompanied by information
reasonably available to the petitioner supporting its allegations.
Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petition on behalf of
the domestic industry because the petitioner is an interested party as
defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that the
petitioner demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the
initiation of the CVD investigation that the petitioner is
requesting.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See ``Determination of Industry Support for the Petition''
section, below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Period of Investigation
Because the Petition was filed on November 30, 2017, the period of
investigation is January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.
Scope of the Investigation
The products covered by this investigation are GNA Products from
[[Page 500]]
China. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see
the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the Appendix to this notice.
Comments on Scope of the Investigation
During our review of the Petition, Commerce issued questions to,
and received responses from, the petitioner pertaining to the proposed
scope to ensure that the scope language in the Petition is an accurate
reflection of the products for which the domestic industry is seeking
relief.\7\ Commerce also held a conference call with the petitioner
regarding the scope language.\8\ As a result of these exchanges, the
scope of the Petition was modified to clarify the description of
merchandise covered by the Petition.\9\ The description of the
merchandise covered by this initiation, as described in the Appendix to
this notice, reflects these clarifications.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See General Issues and China CVD Response.
\8\ See Phone Memorandum.
\9\ See Petitioner Scope Revision.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are
setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding
product coverage (scope).\10\ Commerce will consider all comments
received from interested parties and, if necessary, will consult with
interested parties prior to the issuance of the preliminary
determination. If scope comments include factual information, all such
factual information should be limited to public information.\11\ To
facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests all
interested parties submit such comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
on January 9, 2018 (20 calendar days from the signature date of this
notice). Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information,
must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on January 19, 2018 (10 calendar days
from the initial comments deadline).\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ See Antidumping Duties; Countervailing Duties, Final Rule,
62 FR 27296, 27323 (May 19, 1997) (Preamble).
\11\ See 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) (defining ``factual
information'').
\12\ See 19 CFR 351.303(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerce requests that any factual information parties consider
relevant to the scope of the investigation be submitted during this
period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional factual
information pertaining to the scope of the investigation may be
relevant, the party may contact Commerce and request permission to
submit the additional information. All such submissions must be filed
on the records of each of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations.
Filing Requirements
All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically using
Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty
Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS).\13\ An electronically
filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the
time and date it is due. Documents exempted from the electronic
submission requirements must be filed manually (i.e., in paper form)
with Enforcement and Compliance's APO/Dockets Unit, Room 18022, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20230, and stamped with the date and time of receipt by the applicable
deadlines.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ See Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Electronic Filing Procedures; Administrative Protective Order
Procedures, 76 FR 39263 (July 6, 2011). See also Enforcement and
Compliance: Change of Electronic Filing System Name, 79 FR 69046
(November 20, 2014) for details of Commerce's electronic filing
requirements, which went into effect on August 5, 2011. Information
on help using ACCESS can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help.aspx, and a handbook can be found at https://access.trade.gov/help/Handbook%20on%20Electronic%20Filling%20Procedures.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consultations
Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce
notified representatives of the GOC of the receipt of the CVD Petition,
and provided them the opportunity for consultations with respect to the
Petition.\14\ The GOC did not request a consultation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ See Letter from Abdelali Elouaradia, Director, AD/CVD
Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance to the Embassy of
China ``Countervailing Duties on Imports of Sodium Gluconate,
Gluconic Acid and Derivative Products from the People's Republic of
China: Invitation for Consultations to Discuss the Countervailing
Duty Petition,'' dated December 8, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Determination of Industry Support for the Petition
Section 702(b)(1) of the Act requires that a petition be filed on
behalf of the domestic industry. Section 702(c)(4)(A) of the Act
provides that a petition meets this requirement if the domestic
producers or workers who support the petition account for: (i) At least
25 percent of the total production of the domestic like product; and
(ii) more than 50 percent of the production of the domestic like
product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support
for, or opposition to, the petition. Moreover, section 702(c)(4)(D) of
the Act provides that, if the petition does not establish support of
domestic producers or workers accounting for more than 50 percent of
the total production of the domestic like product, Commerce shall: (i)
Poll the industry or rely on other information in order to determine if
there is support for the petition, as required by subparagraph (A); or
(ii) determine industry support using a statistically valid sampling
method to poll the ``industry.''
Section 771(4)(A) of the Act defines the ``industry'' as the
producers as a whole of a domestic like product. Thus, to determine
whether a petition has the requisite industry support, the statute
directs Commerce to look to producers and workers who produce the
domestic like product. The International Trade Commission (ITC), which
is responsible for determining whether ``the domestic industry'' has
been injured, must also determine what constitutes a domestic like
product in order to define the industry. While both Commerce and the
ITC must apply the same statutory definition regarding the domestic
like product,\15\ they do so for different purposes and pursuant to a
separate and distinct authority. In addition, Commerce's determination
is subject to limitations of time and information. Although this may
result in different definitions of the like product, such differences
do not render the decision of either agency contrary to law.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ See section 771(10) of the Act.
\16\ See USEC, Inc. v. United States, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1, 8 (CIT
2001) (citing Algoma Steel Corp., Ltd. v. United States, 688 F.
Supp. 639, 644 (CIT 1988), aff'd 865 F.2d 240 (Fed. Cir. 1989)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 771(10) of the Act defines the domestic like product as ``a
product which is like, or in the absence of like, most similar in
characteristics and uses with, the article subject to an investigation
under this title.'' Thus, the reference point from which the domestic
like product analysis begins is ``the article subject to an
investigation'' (i.e., the class or kind of merchandise to be
investigated, which normally will be the scope as defined in the
petition).
Regarding the domestic like product, the petitioner does not offer
a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of
the investigation. Based on our analysis of the information submitted
on the record, we have determined that sodium gluconate, gluconic acid,
and derivative products, as defined in the scope, constitute a single
domestic like product and we have analyzed industry support in terms of
that domestic like product.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ For a discussion of the domestic like product analysis, see
Countervailing Duty Investigation Initiation Checklist: Sodium
Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products from the People's
Republic of China (China CVD Initiation Checklist) at Attachment II
(Analysis of Industry Support for the Antidumping and Countervailing
Duty Petitions Covering Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and
Derivative Products from the People's Republic of China and France).
The checklist is dated concurrently with, and hereby adopted by,
this notice and on file electronically via ACCESS. Access to
documents filed via ACCESS are also available in the Central Records
Unit, Room B8024 of the main Department of Commerce building.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 501]]
In determining whether the petitioner has standing under section
702(c)(4)(A) of the Act, we considered the industry support data
contained in the Petition with reference to the domestic like product
as defined in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in the Appendix of
this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioner provided its
own production of the domestic like product in 2016.\18\ The petitioner
states that there are no other known producers of sodium gluconate,
gluconic acid, and derivative products in the United States; therefore,
the Petition is supported by 100 percent of the U.S. industry.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\ See Volume I of the Petition, at 3 and Exhibits I-1A and I-
1B.
\19\ Id. at 3 and Exhibits I-1A and I-1B; see also General
Issues and China CVD Response.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our review of the data provided in the Petition, the supplemental
responses, and other information readily available to Commerce
indicates that the petitioner has established industry support for the
Petition.\20\ First, the Petition established support from domestic
producers (or workers) accounting for more than 50 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product and, as such, Commerce is not
required to take further action in order to evaluate industry support
(e.g., polling).\21\ Second, the domestic producers (or workers) have
met the statutory criteria for industry support under section
702(c)(4)(A)(i) of the Act because the domestic producers (or workers)
who support the Petition account for at least 25 percent of the total
production of the domestic like product.\22\ Finally, the domestic
producers (or workers) have met the statutory criteria for industry
support under section 702(c)(4)(A)(ii) of the Act because the domestic
producers (or workers) who support the Petition account for more than
50 percent of the production of the domestic like product produced by
that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to,
the Petition.\23\ Accordingly, Commerce determines that the Petition
was filed on behalf of the domestic industry within the meaning of
section 702(b)(1) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ See China CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
\21\ See section 702(c)(4)(D) of the Act; see also China CVD
Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
\22\ See China CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment II.
\23\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerce finds that the petitioner filed the Petition on behalf of
the domestic industry because it is an interested party as defined in
section 771(9)(C) of the Act and it has demonstrated sufficient
industry support with respect to the CVD investigation that it is
requesting that Commerce initiate.\24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\24\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injury Test
Because China is a ``Subsidies Agreement Country'' within the
meaning of section 701(b) of the Act, section 701(a)(2) of the Act
applies to this investigation. Accordingly, the ITC must determine
whether imports of the subject merchandise from China materially
injure, or threaten material injury to, a U.S. industry.
Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and Causation
The petitioner alleges that imports of the subject merchandise are
benefitting from countervailable subsidies and that such imports are
causing, or threaten to cause, material injury to the U.S. industry
producing the domestic like product. In addition, the petitioner
alleges that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold
provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ See Volume I of the Petition at 16 and Exhibit I-9; see
also General Issues and China CVD Response.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The petitioner contends that the industry's injured condition is
illustrated by a significant volume of subject imports, reduced market
share, underselling and price depression or suppression, lost sales and
revenues, and a negative impact on financial performance.\26\ We have
assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material
injury, threat of material injury, and causation, and we have
determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate
evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.\27\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\26\ See Volume I of the Petition at 13, 16-32, and Exhibits I-4
and I-9 through I-22.
\27\ See China CVD Initiation Checklist at Attachment III
(Analysis of Allegations and Evidence of Material Injury and
Causation for the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petitions
Covering Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic Acid, and Derivative Products
from the People's Republic of China and France).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initiation of CVD Investigation
Based on the examination of the Petition, we find that it meets the
requirements of section 702 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating a
CVD investigation to determine whether imports of GNA Products from
China benefit from countervailable subsidies conferred by the GOC. In
accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(b)(1),
unless postponed, we will make our preliminary determination no later
than 65 days after the date of this initiation.
Numerous amendments to the AD and CVD laws were made pursuant to
the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015.\28\ The amendments to
sections 776 and 782 of the Act are applicable to all determinations
made on or after August 6, 2015, and, therefore, apply to this CVD
investigation.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\ See Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, Public Law
114-27, 129 Stat. 362 (2015). See also Dates of Application of
Amendments to the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Laws Made by
the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, 80 FR 46793 (August 6,
2015) (Applicability Notice). The 2015 amendments may be found at
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1295/text/pl.
\29\ See Applicability Notice, 80 FR at 46794-95.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on our review of the Petition, we find that there is
sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 44 of the 49
alleged programs. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision
to initiate on each program, see China CVD Initiation Checklist. A
public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is
available on ACCESS.
In accordance with section 703(b)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.205(b)(1), unless postponed, we will make our preliminary
determination no later than 65 days after the date of this initiation.
Respondent Selection
The petitioner named 82 companies as producers/exporters of GNA
Products in China.\30\ Commerce intends to follow its standard practice
in CVD investigations and calculate company-specific subsidy rates in
this investigation. In the event Commerce determines that the number of
companies is large and it cannot individually examine each company
based upon Commerce's resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to
select mandatory respondents based on U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) data for U.S. imports of GNA Products from China
during the POI under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States numbers listed in the ``Scope of the Investigation,'' in
the Appendix.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\ See China CVD Response at Revised Exhibit I-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On December 11, 2017, Commerce released CBP data under
Administrative Protective Order (APO) to all parties with access to
information protected by APO and indicated that interested
[[Page 502]]
parties wishing to comment regarding the CBP data and respondent
selection must do so within three business days of the publication date
of the notice of initiation of this CVD investigation.\31\ Commerce
will not accept rebuttal comments regarding the CBP data or respondent
selection.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\31\ See Memorandum from Jonathan Hill, International Trade
Compliance Analyst, AD/CVD Operations, Office IV, Enforcement and
Compliance to Robert Bolling, Program Manager, AD/CVD Operations,
Office IV, Enforcement and Compliance ``Sodium Gluconate, Gluconic
Acid, and Derivative Products from the People's Republic of China
Countervailing Duty Petition: Release of Customs Data from U.S.
Customs and Border Protection,'' dated December 11, 2017.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such
applications may be found on the Commerce's website at http://enforcement.trade.gov/apo.
Comments must be filed electronically using ACCESS. An
electronically filed document must be received successfully, in its
entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the date noted above.
We intend to finalize our decisions regarding respondent selection
within 20 days of publication of this notice.
Distribution of Copies of the Petition
In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A)(i) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.202(f), copies of the public version of the Petition has been
provided to the GOC via ACCESS. To the extent practicable, we will
attempt to provide a copy of the public version of the Petition to each
exporter named in the Petition, as provided under 19 CFR 351.203(c)(2).
ITC Notification
We will notify the ITC of our initiation, as required by section
702(d) of the Act.
Preliminary Determinations by the ITC
The ITC will preliminarily determine, within 45 days after the date
on which the Petition was filed, whether there is a reasonable
indication that imports of GNA Products from China are materially
injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.\32\ A
negative ITC determination will result in the investigation being
terminated.\33\ Otherwise, this investigation will proceed according to
statutory and regulatory time limits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\32\ See section 703(a)(2) of the Act.
\33\ See section 703(a)(1) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submission of Factual Information
Factual information is defined in 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) as: (i)
Evidence submitted in response to questionnaires; (ii) evidence
submitted in support of allegations; (iii) publicly available
information to value factors under 19 CFR 351.408(c) or to measure the
adequacy of remuneration under 19 CFR 351.511(a)(2); (iv) evidence
placed on the record by Commerce; and (v) evidence other than factual
information described in (i)-(iv). 19 CFR 351.301(b) requires any
party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which
subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted
\34\ and, if the information is submitted to rebut, clarify, or correct
factual information already on the record, to provide an explanation
identifying the information already on the record that the factual
information seeks to rebut, clarify, or correct.\35\ Time limits for
the submission of factual information are addressed in 19 CFR 351.301,
which provides specific time limits based on the type of factual
information being submitted. Interested parties should review the
regulations prior to submitting factual information in this
investigation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\34\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b).
\35\ See 19 CFR 351.301(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extensions of Time Limits
Parties may request an extension of time limits before the
expiration of a time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301, or as
otherwise specified by the Secretary. In general, an extension request
will be considered untimely if it is filed after the expiration of the
time limit established under 19 CFR 351.301. For submissions that are
due from multiple parties simultaneously, an extension request will be
considered untimely if it is filed after 10:00 a.m. ET on the due date.
Under certain circumstances, we may elect to specify a different time
limit by which extension requests will be considered untimely for
submissions which are due from multiple parties simultaneously. In such
a case, we will inform parties in the letter or memorandum setting
forth the deadline (including a specified time) by which extension
requests must be filed to be considered timely. An extension request
must be made in a separate, stand-alone submission; under limited
circumstances we will grant untimely-filed requests for the extension
of time limits. Parties should review Extension of Time Limits; Final
Rule, 78 FR 57790 (September 20, 2013), available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-09-20/html/2013-22853.htm, prior to
submitting factual information in this investigation.
Certification Requirements
Any party submitting factual information in an AD or CVD proceeding
must certify to the accuracy and completeness of that information.\36\
Parties are hereby reminded that revised certification requirements are
in effect for company/government officials, as well as their
representatives. Investigations initiated based on petitions filed on
or after August 16, 2013, and other segments of any AD or CVD
proceedings initiated on or after August 16, 2013, should use the
formats for the revised certifications provided at the end of the Final
Rule.\37\ Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the
submitting party does not comply with the applicable revised
certification requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\36\ See section 782(b) of the Act.
\37\ See Certification of Factual Information to Import
Administration During Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Proceedings, 78 FR 42678 (July 17, 2013) (``Final Rule''); see also
frequently asked questions regarding the Final Rule, available at
http://enforcement.trade.gov/tlei/notices/factual_info_final_rule_FAQ_07172013.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notification to Interested Parties
Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under
APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. On January 22, 2008, Commerce
published Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings: Documents
Submission Procedures; APO Procedures, 73 FR 3634 (January 22, 2008).
Parties wishing to participate in this investigation should ensure that
they meet the requirements of these procedures (e.g., the filing of
letters of appearance as discussed at 19 CFR 351.103(d)).
This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and
777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.203(c).
Dated: December 20, 2017.
Gary Taverman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping and Countervailing Duty
Operations, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the
Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
Appendix
Scope of the Investigation
The scope of this investigation covers all grades of sodium
gluconate, gluconic acid, liquid gluconate, and glucono delta
lactone (GDL) (collectively GNA Products), regardless of physical
form (including, but not limited to substrates; solutions; dry
granular form or powders, regardless of particle size; or as a
slurry). The scope also includes GNA Products that have been blended
or are in solution with other
[[Page 503]]
product(s) where the resulting mix contains 35 percent or more of
sodium gluconate, gluconic acid, liquid gluconate, and/or GDL by dry
weight.
Sodium gluconate has a molecular formula of
NaC6H11O7. Sodium gluconate has a
Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number of 527-07-1, and can
also be called ``sodium salt of gluconic acid'' and/or sodium 2, 3,
4, 5, 6 pentahydroxyhexanoate. Gluconic acid has a molecular formula
of C6H12O7. Gluconic acid has a CAS
registry number of 526-95-4, and can also be called 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
pentahydroxycaproic acid. Liquid gluconate is a blend consisting
only of gluconic acid and sodium gluconate in an aqueous solution.
Liquid gluconate has CAS registry numbers of 527-07-1, 526-95-4, and
7732-18-5, and can also be called 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentahydroxycaproic
acid-hexanoate. GDL has a molecular formula of
C6H10O6. GDL has a CAS registry
number of 90-80-2, and can also be called d-glucono-1,5-lactone.
The merchandise covered by the scope of this investigation is
currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS) under subheadings 2918.16.1000, 2918.16.5010, and
2932.20.5020. Merchandise covered by the scope may also enter under
HTSUS subheadings 2918.16.5050, 3824.99.2890, and 3824.99.9295.
Although the HTSUS subheadings and CAS registry numbers are provided
for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the
merchandise is dispositive.
[FR Doc. 2017-28431 Filed 1-3-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P