SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Petition

On September 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) received a countervailing duty (CVD) petition concerning imports of certain amine compounds (amine compounds) from the People's Republic of China (China), filed in proper form on behalf of Evonik Corporation and Huntsman International LLC (collectively, the petitioners), domestic producers of amine compounds.^[1] The CVD Petition was accompanied by an antidumping duty (AD) petition concerning imports of amine compounds from China.^[2]

Between October 2 and 14, 2026, Commerce requested supplemental information pertaining to certain aspects of the Petition in supplemental questionnaires.^[3] Between October 7 and 15, 2026, the petitioners filed timely responses to these requests for additional information.^[4]

In accordance with section 702(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), the petitioners allege 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 amine compounds in China, and that such imports are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, the domestic industry producing amine compounds 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 was accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioners supporting their allegations.

Commerce finds that the petitioners filed the Petition on behalf of the domestic industry, because the petitioners are interested parties, as defined in section 771(9)(C) of the Act. Commerce also finds that the petitioners demonstrated sufficient industry support with respect to the initiation of the requested CVD investigation.^[5]

Period of Investigation (POI)

Because the Petition was filed on September 29, 2026, the POI is January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.^[6]

Scope of the Investigation

The product covered by this investigation is amine compounds from China. For a full description of the scope of this investigation, see the appendix to this notice.

Comments on the Scope of the Investigation

Between October 2 and 13, 2026, Commerce requested information and clarification from the petitioners regarding 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] Between October 7 and 15, 2026, the petitioners provided clarifications and/or revised the scope.^[8] The description of merchandise covered by this investigation, as described in the appendix to this notice, reflects these clarifications.

As discussed in the Preamble to Commerce's regulations, we are setting aside a period for interested parties to raise issues regarding product coverage ( i.e., scope).^[9] Commerce will consider all scope 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.^[10] Commerce requests that interested parties provide at the beginning of their scope comments a public executive summary for each comment or issue raised in their submission. Commerce further requests that interested parties limit their public executive summary of each comment or issue to no more than 450 words, not including citations. Commerce intends to use the public executive summaries as the basis of the comment summaries included in the analysis of scope comments. To facilitate preparation of its questionnaires, Commerce requests that scope comments be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on November 9, 2026, which is the next business day after 20 calendar days from the signature date of this notice.^[11] Any rebuttal comments, which may include factual information, and should also be limited to public information, must be filed by 5:00 p.m. ET on November 19, 2026, which is 10 calendar days from the initial comment deadline.

Commerce requests that any factual information that parties consider relevant to the scope of this investigation be submitted during that period. However, if a party subsequently finds that additional factual information pertaining to the scope of the investigation may be relevant, the party must contact Commerce and request permission to submit the additional information. All scope comments must be filed simultaneously on the records of the concurrent AD and CVD investigations.

Filing Requirements

All submissions to Commerce must be filed electronically via Enforcement and Compliance's Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS), unless an exception applies.^[12] An electronically filed document must be received successfully in its entirety by the time and date it is due.

( printed page 67292)

Consultations

Pursuant to sections 702(b)(4)(A)(i) and (ii) of the Act, Commerce notified the GOC of the receipt of the Petition and provided an opportunity for consultations with respect to the Petition.^[13] The GOC filed consultation remarks in lieu of consultations on October 16, 2026.^[14]

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 U.S. 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 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]

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).

With regard to the domestic like product, the petitioners do not offer a definition of the domestic like product distinct from the scope of the investigation.^[17] Based on our analysis of the information submitted on the record, we have determined that amine compounds, as defined in the scope, constitute a single domestic like product, and we have analyzed industry support in terms of that domestic like product.^[18]

In determining whether the petitioners have 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 to this notice. To establish industry support, the petitioners provided their own 2025 production of the domestic like product and compared this to the estimated the total production of the domestic like product for the U.S. amine compounds in 2025.^[19] We relied on data provided by the petitioners for purposes of measuring industry support.^[20]

Our review of the data provided in the Petition and other information readily available to Commerce indicates that the petitioners have established industry support for the Petition.^[21] 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).^[22] 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.^[23] 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.^[24] 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.^[25]

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 petitioners allege that imports of the subject merchandise are benefiting 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 petitioners allege that subject imports exceed the negligibility threshold provided for under section 771(24)(A) of the Act.^[26]

The petitioners contend that the industry's injured condition is illustrated by a significant increase in ( printed page 67293) the volume of subject imports; reduced market share; underselling and price depression and suppression; declines in production, capacity utilization, U.S. shipments, and employment variables; negative impact on financial performance; and lost sales and revenues.^[27] We assessed the allegations and supporting evidence regarding material injury, threat of material injury, causation, as well as negligibility, and we have determined that these allegations are properly supported by adequate evidence, and meet the statutory requirements for initiation.^[28]

Initiation of CVD Investigation

Based upon the examination of the Petition and supplemental responses, we find that they meet the requirements of section 702 of the Act. Therefore, we are initiating a CVD investigation to determine whether imports of amine compounds 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.

Based on our review of the Petition, we find that there is sufficient information to initiate a CVD investigation on 25 programs alleged by the petitioners. For a full discussion of the basis for our decision to initiate on each program, see the China CVD Initiation Checklist. A public version of the initiation checklist for this investigation is available on ACCESS.

Respondent Selection

In the Petition, the petitioners identified 36 companies in China.^[29] Commerce intends to follow its standard practice in CVD investigations and calculate company-specific subsidy rates in this investigation. In the event that Commerce determines that the number of companies is large and it cannot individually examine each company based on Commerce's resources, where appropriate, Commerce intends to select mandatory respondents based on quantity and value (Q&V) questionnaires issued to the potential respondents. Commerce normally selects mandatory respondents in CVD investigations using U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry data for U.S. imports under the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings listed in the “Scope of the Investigation,” in the appendix. However, for this investigation, the main HTSUS subheadings under which the subject merchandise would enter (2921.29.0055, 2922.19.9690, and 2934.99.9001) are basket categories under which non-subject merchandise may also enter. Therefore, instead of relying on CBP entry data in selecting respondents, we intend to issue Q&V questionnaires to each potential respondent for which there is complete address information on the record.

Commerce will post the Q&V questionnaire along with filing instructions on Commerce's website at www.trade.gov/​ec-adcvd-qv-questionnaire. Producers/exporters of amine compounds from China that do not receive Q&V questionnaires may still submit a response to the Q&V questionnaire and can obtain a copy of the Q&V questionnaire from Commerce's website. Responses to the Q&V questionnaire must be submitted by the relevant Chinese producers/exporters no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on November 2, 2026, which is two weeks from the signature date of this notice. All Q&V questionnaire responses must be filed electronically via ACCESS. An electronically filed document must be received successfully, in its entirety, by ACCESS no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on the deadline noted above.

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under administrative protective order (APO) in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(b). Instructions for filing such applications may be found on Commerce's website at www.trade.gov/​administrative-protective-orders.

Distribution of a Copy of the Petition

In accordance with section 702(b)(4)(A) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.202(f), a copy 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

Commerce will notify the ITC of its initiation, as required by section 702(d) of the Act.

Preliminary Determination 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 amine compounds from China are materially injuring, or threatening material injury to, a U.S. industry.^[30] A negative ITC determination will result in the investigation being terminated.^[31] Otherwise, this CVD investigation will proceed according to statutory and regulatory time limits.

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 of production 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). Section 351.301(b) of Commerce's regulations requires any party, when submitting factual information, to specify under which subsection of 19 CFR 351.102(b)(21) the information is being submitted ^[32] 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.^[33] 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.

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 Commerce. 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, or as otherwise specified by Commerce.^[34] 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, Commerce 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 ( printed page 67294) inform parties in a letter or memorandum of 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, standalone submission; under limited circumstances we will grant untimely filed requests for the extension of time limits, where we determine, based on 19 CFR 351.302, that extraordinary circumstances exist. Parties should review Commerce's regulations concerning the extension of time limits and the Time Limits Final Rule prior to submitting factual information in this investigation.^[35]

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 must use the certification formats provided in 19 CFR 351.303(g).^[37] Commerce intends to reject factual submissions if the submitting party does not comply with the applicable certification requirements.

Notification to Interested Parties

Interested parties must submit applications for disclosure under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Parties wishing to participate in this investigation should ensure that they meet the requirements of 19 CFR 351.103(d) ( e.g., by filing the required letters of appearance). Note that Commerce has amended certain of its requirements pertaining to the service of documents in 19 CFR 351.303(f).^[38]

This notice is issued and published pursuant to sections 702 and 777(i) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.203(c).

Appendix

Scope of the Investigation

The merchandise subject to this investigation covers certain amine compounds, which are catalysts for the reaction of isocyanates with hydroxy-containing substances such as polyols and/or water. Certain amine compounds are organic compounds containing one or more nitrogen atoms that may be bonded to two or three separate carbon atoms. One or more of these carbon atoms is part of an ethylene (-CH₂ CH₂ -) or propylene (-CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ -) bridge that separates the nitrogen from another nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom. One or more of the remaining carbon atoms will be part of a methyl (-CH₃) group or other alkyl group. Products that are subject to the scope are listed below and typically have the following Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers:

Products subject to this investigation are liquids varying from clear to hazy. They have a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of between 1-100 mPa·s. Certain amine compounds covered by this scope have a density at 21 degrees Celsius of 0.82 to 1.05 g/cm³. Certain amine compounds covered by this scope have a molecular weight between 133 g/mol and 245 g/mol. The boiling point for subject merchandise covers a range from 185 degrees Celsius (365 degrees Fahrenheit) to 310 degrees Celsius (590 degrees Fahrenheit).

Certain amine compounds may be blended with each other or with other substances. Certain amine compounds in any blend or mixture are subject to the scope, so long as the blend or mixture contains at least 1 percent by weight of in-scope amine compounds. Any substances other than the certain amine compounds in a blend or mixture are not included in the scope.

For certain amine compounds that enter as part of a rigid or flexible polyurethane foam systems that contain a separately packaged isocyanate mixture “A side” and a polyol-based “B side” blend containing certain amine compounds, the amine compounds in the system are included in the scope so long as the B side contains at least 1 percent by weight of in-scope amine compounds. Substances other than the certain amine compounds in the system are not included in the scope.

The scope includes merchandise matching the above description that has been processed in a third country, including by commingling, diluting, introducing, or removing ingredients, or performing any other processing that would not otherwise remove the merchandise from the scope of the investigations if performed in the subject country. If any certain amine compounds produced in China are present in blended or processed merchandise, the country of origin of the amine compounds for purposes of this investigation will be China.

Excluded from the scope of this investigation is any in-scope amine compound that is subject to existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders by nature of being part of a subject blend or mixture under the Certain Alkyl Phosphate Esters from the People's Republic of China Orders. See Certain Alkyl Phosphate Esters from the People's Republic of China: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders,90 FR 24579 (June 11, 2025).

This merchandise is currently classifiable under Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) subheadings, including 2922.19.9690, 2921.29.0055, and 2934.99.9001. Subject merchandise may also be entered under subheadings 2909.11.0000, 2921.21.0000, and 3815.90.5000. The HTSUS subheadings and CAS numbers are provided for convenience and customs purposes only; the written description of the scope is dispositive.

91 FR 67290