DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-57,862

NOVACEL, INC.
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS

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 an 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)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on August 30, 2005, in
response to a petition filed by the United Paperworkers Inter-
national Union, Local 584A, on behalf of workers at Novacel, Inc.,
Newton, Massachusetts. The workers produce surface protection
film.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm declined in the relevant time period.
Material used in early stages of the manufacture of film is
produced at the Newton facility, and the subject firm increased its
imports of that material in 2004 and 2005, adversely affecting
employment at the facility.
The Department of Labor surveyed major customers of the
subject firm regarding their purchases of surface protection film
in 2003, 2004, and January-August 2005. The survey revealed that a
major customer increased imports while decreasing purchases from
the subject firm in the relevant 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 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 this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
The investigation revealed that 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 increased imports of articles like
or directly competitive with surface protection film produced at
Novacel, Inc., Newton, Massachusetts, contributed importantly to
the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial
separation of workers of that firm.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:
"All workers of Novacel, Inc., Newton, Massachusetts, who
became totally or partially separated from employment on or
after August 17, 2004 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 29th day of September, 2005.

/s/ Richard Church
_____________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance