Notice2025-08329

Superfund Tax on Chemical Substances; Request To Modify List of Taxable Substances; Notice of Filing for Chlorobutyl Isobutylene Isoprene Rubber (x = 7036, y = 88, z = 70)

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
May 13, 2025

Issuing agencies

Treasury DepartmentInternal Revenue Service

Abstract

This notice of filing announces that a petition has been filed requesting that chlorobutyl isobutylene isoprene rubber (((C<INF>4</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>x</INF>(C<INF>5</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>y</INF> (Cl<INF>2</INF>)<INF>z</INF>; x = 7036, y = 88, z = 70)), also known as CIIR, be added to the list of taxable substances. This notice of filing also requests comments on the petition. This notice of filing is not a determination that the list of taxable substances is modified.

Full Text

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 91 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 20350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08329]



[[Page 20350]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service


Superfund Tax on Chemical Substances; Request To Modify List of 
Taxable Substances; Notice of Filing for Chlorobutyl Isobutylene 
Isoprene Rubber (x = 7036, y = 88, z = 70)

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of filing and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice of filing announces that a petition has been filed 
requesting that chlorobutyl isobutylene isoprene rubber 
(((C<INF>4</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>x</INF>(C<INF>5</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>y</INF>
(Cl<INF>2</INF>)<INF>z</INF>; x = 7036, y = 88, z = 70)), also known as 
CIIR, be added to the list of taxable substances. This notice of filing 
also requests comments on the petition. This notice of filing is not a 
determination that the list of taxable substances is modified.

DATES: Written comments and requests for a public hearing must be 
received on or before July 14, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged to submit public comments or 
requests for a public hearing relating to this petition electronically 
via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> 
(indicate public docket number IRS-2025-0043 or CIIR 
(((C<INF>4</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>x</INF>(C<INF>5</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>y</INF>
(Cl<INF>2</INF>)<INF>z</INF>; x = 7036, y = 88, z = 70)) by following 
the online instructions for submitting comments. Comments cannot be 
edited or withdrawn once submitted to the Federal eRulemaking Portal. 
Alternatively, comments and requests for a public hearing may be mailed 
to: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: CC:PA:01:PR (Notice of Filing for 
CIIR 
(((C<INF>4</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>x</INF>(C<INF>5</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>y</INF>
(Cl<INF>2</INF>)<INF>z</INF>; x = 7036, y = 88, z = 70)), Room 5203, 
P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. All comments 
received are part of the public record and subject to public 
disclosure. All comments received will be posted without change to 
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information 
provided. You should submit only information that you wish to make 
publicly available. If a public hearing is scheduled, notice of the 
time and place for the hearing will be published in the Federal 
Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Clark at (202) 317-6855 (not a 
toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request To Add Substance to the List

    (a) Overview. A petition was filed pursuant to Rev. Proc. 2022-26 
(2022-29 I.R.B. 90), as modified by Rev. Proc. 2023-20 (2023-15 I.R.B. 
636), requesting that CIIR be added to the list of taxable substances 
under section 4672(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (List). The petition 
requesting the addition of CIIR to the List is based on weight and 
contains the information detailed in paragraph (b) of this document. 
The information is provided for public notice and comment pursuant to 
section 9 of Rev. Proc. 2022-26. The publication of petition 
information in this notice of filing is not a determination and does 
not constitute Treasury Department or IRS confirmation of the accuracy 
of the information published.
    (b) Petition Content.
    (1) Substance name: Chlorobutyl isobutylene isoprene rubber 
((C<INF>4</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>x</INF>(C<INF>5</INF>H<INF>8</INF>)<INF>y</INF>
(Cl<INF>2</INF>)<INF>z</INF>); x = 7036, y = 88, z = 70).
    The substance is also known as CIIR.
    (2) Petitioner: Exxon Mobil Corporation, an exporter of CIIR.
    (3) Proposed classification numbers:
    (i) HTSUS number: 4002.39.00.
    (ii) Schedule B number: 4002.39.00.
    (iii) CA S number: 68081-82-3.
    (4) Petition filing dates:
    (i) Petition filing date for purposes of making a determination: 
April 8, 2025.
    (ii) Petition filing date for purposes of section 11.02 of Rev. 
Proc. 2022-26, as modified by section 3 of Rev. Proc. 2023-20: July 1, 
2022.
    (5) Description from petition: CIIR is a synthetic rubber commonly 
used for the inner liner of tubeless tires.
    CIIR is made from butylene and chlorine. Taxable chemicals 
constitute 98.50 percent by weight of the materials used to produce 
this substance.
    (6) Process identified in petition as predominant method of 
production of substance: The predominant method of production of 
regular butyl rubber is using a carbocationic polymerization reaction 
of isobutylene and a comonomer of isoprene. The catalyst system used is 
typically composed of aluminum chloride, boron trifluoride or similar 
with an initiator dissolved in a methyl chloride solvent. Monomer feed 
of isobutylene and isoprene dissolved in a methyl chloride solvent are 
fed to a reactor operated at approximately -100 [deg]C to control the 
rapid exothermic polymerization reaction generating a high molecular 
weight regular butyl rubber polymer. To obtain this high molecular 
weight polymer it is necessary for the feed monomers to be as pure as 
possible as well as ensuring that the feed system stays as dry as 
possible. The methyl chloride and unreacted monomers are flashed 
overhead and recycled back to the feed system while the polymer is 
precipitated out as a solid which is then baled and packaged.
    The polymerization process for CIIR starts with the exact same 
process for regular butyl rubber outlined above. A subsequent 
halogenation step is then carried out in a well agitated vessel to 
ionically substitute a chlorine molecule to the polymer backbone while 
the polymer is dissolved in an appropriate solvent. The solvent is then 
flashed precipitating out a solid which is then baled and packaged.
    (7) Stoichiometric material consumption equation, based on process 
identified as predominant method of production:

7036 C<INF>4</INF>H<INF>8</INF> (Isobutylene) + 88 
C<INF>5</INF>H<INF>8</INF> (Isoprene) + 70 Cl<INF>2</INF> (Chlorine) 
[rarr] [7036 C<INF>4</INF>H<INF>8</INF> + 88 
C<INF>5</INF>H<INF>8 +</INF> 70 Cl<INF>2</INF>] (CIIR)

    (8) Tax rate calculated by Petitioner, based on Petitioner's 
conversion factors for taxable chemicals used in production of 
substance:
    (i) Tax rate: $9.50 per ton.
    (ii) Conversion factors: 0.97 for butylene, 0.01 for chlorine.
    (9) Public docket number: IRS-2025-0043.

Michael Beker,
Senior Counsel (Energy, Credits, and Excise Tax), IRS Office of Chief 
Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2025-08329 Filed 5-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P


</pre></body>
</html>
Indexed from Federal Register on May 13, 2025.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.