Final USITC Report on Chinese Quartz Imports June 2019 | Page 21

improved from a monochromatic surface to a surface that imitates natural stone patterns. The
scope of these investigations covers both raw-material slabs and finished products.
Finished products include fabricated countertop surfaces, cut-to-size slabs used in the
hospitality industry, and various other decorative products. Quartz surface products are utilized
in commercial, residential, or industrial properties as countertops, tiles, bar surfaces, shower
and tub surrounds, fireplace surrounds, walls, floors, bathroom vanities, and furniture
surfaces. 27 Quartz surface products may be further worked to meet customer specifications.
Unadulterated quartz surface products are white with fine particulates. Manufacturing
advances improved the appearance of quartz surface products and enabled producers to make
quartz surface products that mimic natural stone or have unique patterns.
Producers of quartz surface products invest in the development of new collections and
designs to attract customers. 28 These patterns require specialized machinery and design by
teams of engineers whose end products are copyrighted as intellectual property. 29 Figure I-1
shows several designed aesthetic and color options available to consumers of quartz surface
products. Certain design patterns can be created by hand. 30
27
Hearing transcript, p. 57 (Scoggin).
New designs allegedly have been copied by foreign competitors. Hearing transcript, p. 60 (Shult)
and p. 64 (Clark).
29
Hearing transcript, p. 56 (Scoggin).
30
Hearing transcript, p. 200 (Huarte) and p. 300 (Wessel).
28
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