India’s MCI recommends ADDs on LDPE imports: Update

India’s MCI recommends ADDs on LDPE imports: Update

India's MCI recommends ADDs on LDPE imports: Update

Adds table

Singapore, 1 April (Argus) — The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) is recommending anti-dumping duties (ADDs) on low density polyethylene (LDPE) imports from Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the US after completing an investigation.

The duties vary and are specific to each producer. Duties on cargoes imported from Saudi Arabia range from $17.05-70.09/metric tonne. ADDs on imports from Thailand are $89.14-216.76/t. Imports from the US are subjected to ADDs of $74.27/t, except for cargoes from Westlake Chemical, which was exempted. LDPE imports from the UAE, Qatar, South Korea and Malaysia were exempted.

MCI began the anti-dumping investigation on 23 October 2020 following an application by India's Chemicals and Petrochemicals Manufacturers Association.

Reactions to the MCI's findings have been mixed. Some Indian participants said the duties are justified to safeguard local markets. The announcement was also timely, with the deadline for the Bureau of Indian Standards PE quality control registrations approaching on 6 April. Participants said the combination of the two measures will ensure buyers receive quality imports without disrupting local PE markets.

But other participants said the ADDs are not necessary, as local LDPE production is unable to keep up with demand, particularly for more