U.S. launches antidumping probe into silica bricks, shapes from China

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government on Thursday launched an antidumping (AD) investigation against imports of silica bricks and shapes from China.

The products covered by the investigation are bricks and shapes, regardless of size, containing at least 90 percent silica, also known as silicon dioxide, said the U.S. Commerce Department in a statement, alleging that those products were sold at less than fair value in the U.S. market with dumping margins from 118.47 percent to 290.12 percent.

Silica bricks and shapes are a type of refractory bricks used to line furnace roofs. In 2011, imports of silica bricks and shapes from China were at an estimated 43.2 million U.S. dollars, according to the Commerce Department.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) was scheduled to make its preliminary injury determination on or before December 31, 2012.

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