India launches antidumping investigation on S-PVC imports

India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of PVC suspension (S-PVC) resins originating from China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the US.

A ministry notification shared by sources noted that the probe has been initiated on a complaint by local PVC producers Chemplast Cudallore Vinyls, DCM Shriram, and DCM Ltd seeking the imposition of appropriate anti-dumping duties (ADD) on the said import origins.

PVC suspension resins are commonly used in manufacturing products like pipes and fittings, flexible hoses, films/sheets, bottles, profiles, wire and cables, footwear, etc. India has a total installed capacity of around 1.6mn tons/year of S-PVC from 11 plants, which is expected to expand to about 3.2mn tons from 17 plants by 2026.

In October, ChemOrbis reported the initiations an investigation on PVC paste (E-PVC) grades from China, South Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Taiwan, and Thailand, also requested by a domestic producer. Prior to that, another ADD investigation into imports of PVC with a VCM content of 2ppm or more was started. The outcome of these investigations is still awaited.

Traders said the latest investigation could have a near-term impact on the market as sellers were not certain what date the investigation would conclude or when the actual duties are imposed.

“Typically, we’ve seen sellers raising the prices or holding on to current prices as they’re not certain about the date when the ADD proposed comes into force. The sellers may also start looking for opportunities in other markets. But it’s also typical that the investigations drag on endlessly, which would bring back the import sellers,” an Indian trader said.

“We don’t really see import prices rallying because of the latest move by the government. It could, however, support the current levels in the near term,” another trader said.