India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has imposed an antidumping duty (AD) on aluminium foil imports from China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia to offset the blow to the domestic industry due to cheaper imports.
The DGTR recommended an AD ranging from $93.53-$976.99/mt after concluding an investigation based on complaints from Hindalco Industries Ltd, Raviraj Foils Ltd, and Jindal India Ltd over dumping of aluminium foils of 80 microns and below in the previous year.
However, DGTR refuted the claims that Raviraj and Jindal India are not in a position to comment on the status of the domestic industry since they are importing aluminium foil stock. DGTR did not involve raw material for foils in its recommendation.
The respondents claimed that aluminium foil is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags and the AD would impact the supply-demand gap. Domestic users from the four countries being investigated noted that the last AD imposed on China for material between 5.5 microns to 80 microns resulted in prices being pushed up by Rs30-40/kg.
The appellants ruled that the imposition of AD will not create a supply-demand gap as the domestic industry has recently expanded capacity, and other producers will also undertake expansions. Corresponding with domestic producers, DGTR observed a level playing field for the production and consumption of the goods in the Indian market.