India extends anti-dumping duties on c-PVC imports

India's Ministry of Finance has recommended continuing anti-dumping duties (ADDs) on chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (c-PVC) imports from China and South Korea, citing continuing imports below market value threatening the domestic sector.

The recommendation was published in the Gazette of India on 23 August, with ADDs to be applied to all c-PVC imports from China and South Korea either in compounded form or unprocessed form. ADDs under this notification can be levied for a period of five years, unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier from the date of publication in the Gazette of India.

An initial anti-dumping investigation began in March 2019, followed by final findings and initial ADDs on c-PVC imports from China and South Korea on February 2020. Indian producers noted continuing dumping of c-PVC resin following expected demand growth from the agricultural and construction sectors. But authorities said, despite new production capacity planning to come on line in India in the coming years, that the likelihood of further dumping would remain high should ADDs be removed too soon.

India has already implemented ADDs on paste PVC imports on 13 June, while continuing to investigate anti-dumping of suspension PVC imports.

C-PVC is produced by the addition of chlorine to standard PVC resin, with the final compound having greater resistance to higher temperatures, fire and corrosion compared with traditional PVC. C-PVC is primarily used in pipe applications.

By Michael Vitiello