14-4-3282 Foreign Producer Questionnaire

OMB No. 3117-0016/USITC No. 14-4-3282; Expiration Date: 6/30/2017
(No response is required if currently valid OMB control number is not displayed)

FOREIGN PRODUCERS’/EXPORTERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
FERROVANADIUM FROM CHINA AND SOUTH AFRICA

This questionnaire must be received by the Commission by no later than September 19, 2014
See the Instruction Booklet for filing instructions.
The information called for in this questionnaire is for use by the United States International Trade Commission in
connection with its review of the antidumping duty orders concerning ferrovanadium from China and South Africa (Inv.
Nos. 731-TA-986-987 (Second Review)). The information requested in the questionnaire is requested under the authority
of the Tariff Act of 1930, title VII.

Name of firm
Address
Website
Has your firm produced or exported ferrovanadium (as defined in the instruction booklet) at any time since
January 1, 2008?

NO
YES

(Sign the certification below and promptly return only this page of the questionnaire to the Commission)
(Read the instruction booklet carefully, complete all parts of the questionnaire, and return the entire
questionnaire to the Commission so as to be received by the date indicated above)

Data reported in this questionnaire relate to (Check one):
China

South Africa

Return questionnaire via the U.S. International Trade Commission Drop Box by clicking
on the following link: https://dropbox.usitc.gov/oinv/. (use the following PIN: FeV)
CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information herein supplied in response to this questionnaire is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge
and belief and understand that the information submitted is subject to audit and verification by the Commission.
By means of this certification I also grant consent for the Commission, and its employees and contract personnel, to use the
information provided in this questionnaire and throughout this proceeding in any other import-injury proceedings or reviews
conducted by the Commission on the same or similar merchandise.
I acknowledge that information submitted in this questionnaire response and throughout this proceeding may be used by the
Commission, its employees, and contract personnel who are acting in the capacity of Commission employees, for developing or
maintaining the records of this proceeding or related proceedings for which this information is submitted, or in internal audits and
proceedings relating to the programs and operations of the Commission pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3. I understand that all
contract personnel will sign non-disclosure agreements.

Name of Authorized Official

Title of Authorized Official

Date

Phone:
Signature

Email address
Fax:

Business Proprietary
Foreign Producers’/Exporters’ Questionnaire - Ferrovanadium

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION
The questions in this questionnaire have been reviewed with market participants to ensure that issues of
concern are adequately addressed and that data requests are sufficient, meaningful, and as limited as
possible. Public reporting burden for this questionnaire is estimated to average 30 hours per response,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the questionnaire. Send comments regarding the accuracy of this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the
burden, to the Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20436.
I-1a.

OMB statistics.--Please report below the actual number of hours required and the cost to your
firm of preparing the reply to this questionnaire and completing the form.
Hours

Dollars

I-1b.

OMB feedback.--We are interested in any comments you may have for improving this
questionnaire in general or the clarity of specific questions. Please attach such comments to your
firm’s response or send them to the above address.

I-2.

Establishments covered.--Provide the name and address of establishment(s) covered by this
questionnaire (see page 3 of the instruction booklet for reporting guidelines). If your firm is
publicly traded, please specify the stock exchange and trading symbol.

I-3.

U.S. importers.--Please provide the names, contacts, email addresses, and telephone numbers of
the FIVE largest U.S. importers of your firm’s ferrovanadium in 2013.

No.

1
2
3
4
5

Importer’s name

Contact person

Email address

Area
code and
telephone
number

Share of
your firm’s
2013 U.S.
exports
(%)

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PART I.--GENERAL INFORMATION--Continued
I-4.

U.S. production.--Does your firm or any related firm produce, have the capability to produce, or
have any plans to produce ferrovanadium in the United States or other countries?
No

I-5.

U.S. importation.--Does your firm or any related firm import or have any plans to import
ferrovanadium into the United States?
No

I-6.

Yes--Please name the firm(s) and country(ies) below and, if U.S. producer(s),
ensure that they complete the Commission’s producer questionnaire
(contact Angela Newell for copies of that questionnaire).

Yes--Please name the firm(s) below and ensure that they complete the
Commission’s importer questionnaire (contact Angela Newell for
copies of that questionnaire).

Business plan.--In Parts II and III of this questionnaire we request a copy of your company’s
business plan. Does your company or any related firm have a business plan or any internal
documents that describe, discuss, or analyze expected future market conditions for
ferrovanadium?
No

Yes--Please provide the requested documents. If you are not providing the
requested documents, please explain why not.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Angela Newell (202-708-5409,
[email protected]). Supply all data requested on a calendar-year basis.
II-1.

Contact information.--Please identify the responsible individual and the manner by which
Commission staff may contact that individual regarding the confidential information submitted in
part II.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

II-2.

Changes in operations.--Please indicate whether your firm has experienced any of the following
changes in relation to the production of ferrovanadium since January 1, 2008.
(check as many as appropriate)
Plant openings
Plant closings
Relocations
Expansions
Acquisitions
Consolidations
Prolonged shutdowns or production
curtailments
Revised labor agreements
Other (e.g., technology)

(please describe and indicate the relevant dates, duration,
result)

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
II-3.

Anticipated changes in operations.--Does your firm anticipate any changes in the character of
its operations or organization (as noted above) relating to the production of ferrovanadium in the
future?
No

II-4.

Anticipated changes in operations in the event the orders are revoked.--Would your firm
anticipate any changes in the character of its operations or organization (as noted above) relating
to the production of ferrovanadium in the future if the antidumping duty orders on ferrovanadium
from China and South Africa were to be revoked?
No

II-5a.

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue. Include in your response a specific projection of your firm’s
capacity to produce ferrovanadium (in 1,000 pounds of contained
vanadium) for 2014 and 2015.

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation that address this
issue. Include in your response a specific projection of your firm’s
capacity to produce ferrovanadium (in 1,000 pounds of contained
vanadium) for 2014 and 2015.

Production and capacity.--Please report your firm’s production of ferrovanadium, production of
products made on the same equipment and machinery used to produce ferrovanadium, and the
combined production capacity on this shared equipment and machinery in the periods indicated.
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds)
January-June
Item

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2013

2014

Overall production capacity
Production of:
Ferrovanadium 1
Other products2
1
2

Ferrovanadium production (gross production) will not equal production data reported in II-15 (contained vanadium).
Please identify:

II-5b.

Operating parameters.--The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported in
II-5a is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued

II-5c.

Capacity calculation.--Please describe the methodology used to calculate overall production capacity
reported in II-5a, and explain any changes in reported capacity.

II-5d.

Production constraints.--Please describe the constraint(s) that set the limit(s) on your firm’s
production capacity.

II-6.

Product shifting.—
(i)

Is your firm able to switch production (capacity) between ferrovanadium and other products
using the same equipment and/or labor?
No

(ii)

Yes-- (i.e., have produced other products or are able to produce other
products). Please identify other actual or potential products:

Please describe the factors that affect your firm’s ability to shift production capacity between
products (e.g., time, cost, relative price change, etc.), and the degree to which these factors
enhance or constrain such shifts.

II-7.

Share of sales.--What percentage of your firm’s total sales in its most recent fiscal year was
represented by sales of ferrovanadium?
percent

II-8.

Share of total production.--Please estimate what percentage of total production of
ferrovanadium in China or South Africa is accounted for by your firm’s total production of
ferrovanadium in 2013.
(a) Your firm accounted for

percent of 2013 total production of ferrovanadium in China.

(b) Your firm accounted for
Africa.

percent of 2013 total production of ferrovanadium in South

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued

II-9.

Share of total exports.--Please estimate what percentage of total exports to the United States of
ferrovanadium from China or South Africa is accounted for by your firm’s total exports of
ferrovanadium in 2013.

.

II-10.

(a) Your firm accounted for
to the United States.

percent of total 2013 exports of ferrovanadium from China

(b) Your firm accounted for
Africa to the United States.

percent of total 2013 exports of ferrovanadium from South

Inventories in the United States.--Has your firm, since 2008, maintained any inventories in the
United States of ferrovanadium produced in China or South Africa (not including inventories held
by firms identified in question I-3)?
No

Yes--Report the quantity of such end-of-period inventories below.
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds of contained vanadium)
Item

Inventory

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
II-11.

Barriers.-(a)

Are your firm’s exports of ferrovanadium subject to tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade
(for example, antidumping or countervailing duty findings or remedies, tariffs, quotas, or
regulatory barriers) in any countries other than the United States?
No

Yes--List the products(s), country(ies), the year each such barrier was
imposed, and the type of barrier.

Ferrovanadium

(b)

Country

Barrier
(if tariff, give rate)

Are your firm’s exports of ferrovanadium subject to current proceedings in any countries
other than the United States that might result in tariff or non-tariff barriers to trade?
No

Yes--List the products(s), country(ies), and type of proceeding.

Ferrovanadium

II-12.

Year
imposed

Country

Type of proceeding

Other export markets.--Identify export markets (other than the United States) that your firm has
developed or where it has increased its sales of ferrovanadium since 2008. Please identify and
discuss below.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
II-13.

Significance of antidumping duty orders.--Describe the significance of the existing
antidumping duty orders covering imports of ferrovanadium from China and South Africa in
terms of its effect on your firm’s production capacity, production, home market shipments,
exports to the United States and other markets, and inventories. You may wish to compare your
firm’s operations before and after the imposition of the orders.

II-14.

Anticipated changes if orders revoked.--Would your firm anticipate any changes in its
production capacity, production, home market shipments, exports to the United States and other
markets, or inventories relating to the production of ferrovanadium in the future if the
antidumping duty orders on ferrovanadium from China and South Africa were to be revoked?
No

Yes–Supply details as to the time, nature, and significance of such changes
and provide underlying assumptions, along with relevant portions of
business plans or other supporting documentation for any trends or
projections you may provide.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
II-15

Trade data.-- Report production capacity, production, shipments, and inventories of
ferrovanadium produced by your firm during the specified periods. (See definitions in the
instruction booklet.) Do not submit data on multiple countries combined; the establishments
reported here should all be located in the country of the firm’s address reported on the
certification page. Multinational companies with production in multiple subject countries should
submit separate foreign producer questionnaire responses for each subject country.
Quantity (in 1,000 pounds of contained vanadium) and Value (in 1,000 dollars)
Calendar year
Item

2008

2009

2010

January-June

2011

2012

2013

2013

2014

Average production capacity1 (A)
Beginning-of-period inventories (B)


Production (C)
Home market shipments:
Internal consumption/transfers
quantity (D)
Commercial shipments
quantity (E)
value (F)
Export shipments:
to the United States:
quantity (G)
value (H)
to the European Union:2
quantity (I)
value (J)
to Asia:3
quantity (K)
value (L)
to all other markets:4
quantity (M)
value (N)
Total exports (quantity) (O) (autocalculated)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total shipments (quantity) (P) (autocalculated)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

End-of-period inventories (Q)
1

The production capacity (see definitions in instruction booklet) reported is based on operating
hours per week,
weeks per year. Please describe the methodology used to calculate production capacity, and explain any changes in
reported capacity.
2

Identify your firm’s principal European Union export markets:
Identify your firm’s principal Asian export markets:
4
Identify your firm’s principal other export markets:
3

.
.
.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
II-16.

Total production of ferrovanadium.—Indicate the share of total production of ferrovanadium in your
firm’s establishment(s) in China or South Africa in 2013, including ferrovanadium your firm tollproduced for another firm, accounted for by grade 40-60% ferrovanadium (i.e., ferrovanadium
containing between 40 and 60 percent vanadium) and by grade 75-85% ferrovanadium (i.e.,
ferrovanadium containing between 75 and 85 percent contained vanadium):
Item

Share (percent)

Grade 40-60 percent ferrovanadium

%

Grade 75-85 percent ferrovanadium
Other grade of ferrovanadium
(specify):

%
%

Total

II-17.

100%

Reconciliation of trade data.—

RECONCILIATION OF SHIPMENTS
Generally, the data reported for the end-of-period inventories (i.e., line Q) should be equal to the beginning-of-period
inventories (i.e., line B), plus production (i.e., line C), less total shipments (i.e., lines D, E, G, I, K, and M). Please ensure that
any differences are not due to data entry errors in completing this form, but rather actually reflect your firm’s records; and
also provide any likely explanations for the differences (e.g., theft, loss, damage, record systems issues, etc.)
If the calculated fields below return values other than zero (i.e., “0”), please correct any data errors or explain below:
.
Calendar year
Reconciliation item
Beginning inventories (B) +
production (C) – total shipments
(D+E+G+I+K+M) – Ending
inventories (Q) =

2008

2009

0

2010

0

January-June

2011

0

2012

0

2013

0

2013

0

2014

0

Further, the quantities reported for end-of-period inventories should equal the beginning-of-period inventories
reported in the subsequent calendar year (i.e., line Q of year 2008 should equal line B of year 2009). Do these
data reconcile for each adjacent calendar year?
Yes

No--Please explain.

0

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
Further information on this part of the questionnaire can be obtained from Craig Thomsen (202-205-3226,
[email protected]).
III-1.

Contact information.-- Please identify the responsible individual and how Commission staff
may contact the individual regarding the confidential information submitted in part III.
Name
Title
Email
Telephone
Fax

III-2.

Contract versus spot.--Approximately what share of your firm’s sales of ferrovanadium to U.S.
customers in 2013 was on a (1) long-term contract basis, (2) short-term contract basis, and
(3) spot sales basis?
Long-term
contracts
(multiple deliveries
for more than 12
months)
Share of your
2013 sales

III-3.

%

Type of sale
One year
Short-term
contracts
contracts
(multiple
(multiple deliveries
deliveries for
less than 12
12 months)
months)
%

%

Spot
sales
(for a
single
delivery)
%

Total

=100%

Please fill out the table regarding your firm’s typical sales contracts with U.S. customers for
ferrovanadium (or check “not applicable” if your firm does not sell on a long term and/or short
term contract basis).

Typical sales contract
provisions

Item

Average contract duration

Number of
days

Price renegotiation (during
the contract period)

Yes
No
Quantity

Fixed quantity and/or price

Price
Both

Meet or release provision
Not applicable

Yes
No

Short-term
contracts

One year
contracts

Long-term
contracts

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-4.

Lead times.--What is the typical lead time for ferrovanadium to U.S. customers between a
customer’s order and the date of delivery for your firm’s sales of ferrovanadium?
Share of
2013 sales

Source
From inventory

%

Produced to order

%

Total

III-5.

Lead time (days)

100 %

Raw materials.-(a) To what extent have changes in the prices of raw materials affected your firm’s selling prices
for ferrovanadium since January 1, 2008?

(b) Do you anticipate changes in your firm’s raw material costs?
No

III-6.

If yes, please explain.

Changes in factors affecting supply.--Have any changes occurred in any other factors affecting
supply (e.g., changes in availability or prices of energy or labor; transportation conditions;
production capacity and/or methods of production; technology; export markets; or alternative
production opportunities) that affected the availability of China and/or South Africa-produced
ferrovanadium in the U.S. market since January 1, 2008?
No

III-7.

Yes

Yes

If yes, please describe.

Availability of SUBJECT import supply.-- Do you anticipate any changes in terms of the
availability of China and/or South Africa-produced ferrovanadium in the U.S. market in the
future?
If you anticipate changes in supply, please identify the
changes, including the time period and the impact of such
No
changes on shipment volumes and prices. If you do not
Increase change Decrease anticipate changes, please note why.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-8.

Product shifting.--Describe how easily your firm can shift its sales of ferrovanadium between
the U.S. market and alternative country markets. In your discussion, please describe any
contracts, other sales arrangements, or other constraints (including any third-country trade
barriers such as tariffs, quotas, or other non-tariff barriers) that would prevent or retard your firm
from shifting ferrovanadium between the U.S. and alternative country markets within a 12-month
period.

III-9.

Product range.--Is the product range, product mix, or marketing of ferrovanadium in your firm’s
home market different from that of ferrovanadium for export to the United States or to thirdcountry markets?
No

Yes

If yes, please explain.

III-10. Product changes.--Have there been any significant changes in the product range, product mix, or
marketing of ferrovanadium in your firm’s home market, for export to the United States, or for
export to third-country markets since January 1, 2008? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in
product range,
product mix, or
marketing
No Yes
Changes since
2008
Anticipated
changes

Explain

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-11. Substitutes.— Can other products be substituted for ferrovanadium?
No

Yes--Please fill out the table.

End use in which this
substitute is used

Substitute

Have changes in the price of this substitute
affected the price for ferrovanadium?
No Yes

Explanation

1.
2.
3.

III-12. Changes in substitutes.-- Have there been any changes in the number or types of products that
can be substituted for ferrovanadium since January 1, 2008? Do you anticipate any future
changes?
Changes in
substitutes

No Yes

Explain

Changes since
2008
Anticipated
changes

III-13. Interchangeability.--Is the ferrovanadium produced by your firm and sold in its home market
interchangeable (i.e., can be used in the same applications) with your firm’s ferrovanadium sold
to the United States and/or to third-country markets?
Yes

No

If no, identify the market(s) and any differences in the products.

III-14. End uses.--Describe the end uses of the ferrovanadium that your firm manufactures and sell to
your firm’s home market. If these end uses differ from those of the ferrovanadium your firm sells
to the U.S. market or to third-country markets, explain.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-15. Changes in end uses.-- Have there been any changes in the end uses of ferrovanadium since
2008? Do you anticipate any future changes?
Changes in end
uses

No

Yes

Explain

Changes since
2008
Anticipated
changes

III-16. Demand trends.--Indicate how demand in the following markets for ferrovanadium has changed
since January 1, 2008, and how you anticipate demand will change in the future. Explain any
trends and describe the principal factors that have affected, and that you anticipate will affect,
these changes in demand.
Your
firm’s
market

Fluctuate
Overall
No
Overall
with no
increase change decrease clear trend

Explanation and factors

Demand since 2008
Home
market
United
States
Other
markets
Anticipated future demand
Home
market
United
States
Other
markets

III-17. Price differences.--Please compare market prices of ferrovanadium in your firm’s home market,
the United States, and third-country markets.

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PART III.--MARKET FACTORS--Continued
III-18. International transportation.—
(a) Who typically arranges international transportation costs for your firm’s exports?
Exporter

Importer

(b) If your firm typically arranges international transportation, for 2013, report or estimate the
average cost to ship typical volumes of ferrovanadium to the United States.
dollars per short ton

III-19. Description of home market.--Describe briefly your firm’s home market for ferrovanadium,
including the number of, and competition between, producers.

III-20. Import competition.--Do your firm face competition from imports of ferrovanadium in your
firm’s home market?
No

Yes

If yes, please identify the country sources of these imports.

III-21. Market studies.--Please provide as a separate attachment to this request any studies, surveys, etc.
that you are aware of that quantify and/or otherwise discuss ferrovanadium supply (including
production capacity and capacity utilization) and demand in (1) the United States, (2) each of the
other major producing/consuming countries, including China and/or South Africa, and (3) the
world as a whole. Of particular interest is such data from 2008 to the present and forecasts for the
future.
III-22. Other explanations.--If your firm would like to further explain a response to a question in Part
III that did not provide a narrative response box, please note the question number and the
explanation in the space provided below.