DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-52,961

IPAC FABRICS, INC.
A SUBSIDIARY OF INDUSTRIAL POLYMERS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
LEWISTON, MAINE


Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met - the sales and/or production have
decreased absolutely at the workers firm or subdivision and an
increase in imports of articles like or directly competitive with
articles produced by the workers' firm or subdivision contributed
importantly to workers' separation or threat of separation and to
the decline in the sales or production of the subject firm or
subdivision.
The investigation was initiated on September 24, 2003 in
response to a petition filed by on behalf of workers at IPAC
Fabrics, Inc., a subsidiary of Industrial Polymers and Chemicals,
Inc., Lewiston, Maine. The workers at the subject firm produce
woven fiberglass cloth.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined absolutely from 2001 to 2002, and during
the period of January through August of 2003, when compared to the
same period in 2002.
The investigation further revealed that company imports of
woven fiberglass cloth increased absolutely during the relevant
period.
In addition, in order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in the case of IPAC Fabrics,
Inc., a subsidiary of Industrial Polymers and Chemicals, Inc.,
Lewiston, Maine that the requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the subject facility are
age 50 or over and possess skills that are not easily
transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry are
adverse.



Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with woven fiberglass cloth produced
at IPAC Fabrics, Inc., a subsidiary of Industrial Polymers and
Chemicals, Inc., Lewiston, contributed importantly to the total or
partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production and at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of IPAC Fabrics, Inc., a subsidiary of Industrial
Polymers and Chemicals, Inc., Lewiston, Maine who became
totally or partially separated from employment on or after
September 5, 2002 through two years from the date of
certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D. C. this 30th day of October 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance