India has started a safeguard probe into sudden increase in imports of certain kinds of plastics, following a complaint by domestic industries. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated the investigation into imports of 'PVC suspension resins with residual VCM above 2 PPM', which is used in different industries such as pipes, packaging, wiring and insulations, boards and medical products.
According to a notification of the DGTR, Chemplast CuddaloreVinyls, and DCW Ltd have filed an application to initiate the probe. They have alleged that there has been a sudden, sharp and recent increase in the volume of the imports in India which has started causing serious injury to the domestic industry and is posing threat of further aggravated injury, it said.
Accordingly, the companies have requested for imposition of safeguard measures in the form of quantitative restrictions on the imports.
“On the basis of the duly substantiated application filed by the petitioners, and having satisfied itself on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the domestic industry, the authority considers that there is sufficient evidence to justify initiation of safeguard investigations…,” the notification said.
In the probe, the DGTR would determine whether imports have increased suddenly and sharply in the recent period and as a result of unforeseen developments, and whether such increased imports have caused or posed a threat of serious injury to the domestic industry, it added.
It is noted that the prices of imported PVC resins has dropped by 25 % in September month and the reduction trend has continued every day, which has forced domestic producers to reduce prices. Indian PVC boards manufacturers, users of PVC resin, are overwhelmed due to reduction prices, and hope to gain its market, which had shifted to other panel products due to high prices of resins since a year. PVC boards producers say that imposition of safeguard duty would discourage domestic boards producers.