DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,102

DSM COPOLYMER, INC.
DSM ELASTOMERS AMERICAS DIVISION
A SUBSIDIARY OF DSM
ADDIS, LOUISIANA

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 (19
USC 2273), as amended, 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 investigation was initiated in response to a petition
initiated on November 30, 2004 and filed by a State agency
representative on behalf of workers at DSM Copolymer, Inc., DSM
Elastomers Americas division, a subsidiary of DSM, Addis,
Louisiana. The workers produce synthetic rubber products
(specialty rubber); i.e. keltan 2318, keltan 5508 and P597 and
are not separately identifiable by product line.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment declined at the subject firm from 2002 to 2003 and
from January through October 2003 compared to the same period in
2004.
The investigation also revealed that imports of synthetic
rubber products (specialty rubber); i.e. keltan 2318, keltan
5508 and P597 by the subject firm increased during the relevant
time period.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26
USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
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 this case that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm 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 conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with synthetic rubber products
(specialty rubber); i.e. keltan 2318, keltan 5508 and P597
produced by DSM Copolymer, Inc., DSM Elastomers Americas
division, a subsidiary of DSM, Addis, Louisiana, contributed
importantly to the total or partial separation of workers and to
the decline in sales or production at that firm or subdivision.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of DSM Copolymer, Inc., DSM Elastomers
Americas division, a subsidiary of DSM, Addis, Louisiana,
who became totally or partially separated from employment
on or after November 18, 2003 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 22nd day of December 2004.


/s/ Linda G. Poole
_______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance