Rayonier Advanced Materials and USW Petition for Relief from Unfair Imports of High-Purity Dissolving Pulp.

Rayonier Advanced Materials and the United Steelworkers have filed petitions with the US government against Brazilian and Norwegian manufacturers for allegedly selling high-purity dissolving pulp at unfairly low prices, potentially supported by government subsidies. The petitions aim to address the impact on the US industry and could lead to duties being imposed. Initial determinations are expected within 45 days.

Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE: RYAM) and the United Steelworkers (USW) have filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) against Brazilian and Norwegian manufacturers for allegedly selling high-purity dissolving pulp (HPDP) at unfairly low prices, potentially supported by government subsidies. The petitions aim to address the impact on the U.S. industry and could lead to duties being imposed.

The petitions allege that Brazilian and Norwegian manufacturers are selling HPDP in the U.S. market at prices below fair market value or based on government subsidies, materially injuring the U.S. HPDP industry and its workers. The petitions estimate dumping margins as high as 168% for Brazil and 226% for Norway, and identify 30 Brazilian government programs that may be providing subsidies [1].

The USDOC will investigate whether dumping and subsidization are occurring, while the USITC will determine whether the U.S. industry is suffering material injury as a result. If both agencies make affirmative findings, duties will be imposed to offset the unfair trade practices. A preliminary determination from the USITC is expected within 45 days, with the USDOC’s preliminary determinations to follow in the coming months [2].

Rayonier Advanced Materials, a global leader in cellulose-based technologies, and USW, representing workers at the company’s facilities, have been advocating for a level playing field to protect the domestic industry and support American jobs. The influx of low-priced imports from Brazil and Norway has severely undercut domestic prices and market share, putting U.S. producers and their employees at risk [3].

The petitions highlight the importance of fair trade practices in maintaining the competitiveness of the U.S. HPDP industry. The USDOC and USITC will now conduct a thorough investigation to assess the allegations and determine the appropriate course of action.

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4483840-rayonier-to-seek-us-relief-from-unfairly-traded-imports-of-high-purity-dissolving-pulp
[2] https://www.internationaltradeinsights.com/2025/08/petition-summary-high-dissolving-pulp-from-brazil-and-norway/
[3] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/ryam-and-usw-petition-the-u-s-government-for-relief-from-unfairly-traded-imports-of-high-purity-dis-ce7c51dad980f224