DGTR Initiates Anti-Dumping Investigation on Para Nonylphenol from
Russia and Taiwan on SI Group India Complaint
1.
Investigation Initiated
·
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)
has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Para Nonylphenol
(PNP) originating in or exported from Russia and Taiwan.
·
The investigation was initiated following an
application filed by SI Group India Private Limited.
2.
Product Under Consideration
·
The product under consideration (PUC) is Para
Nonylphenol (PNP), also known as 4-Nonylphenol.
·
It is a chemical intermediate used in various
industrial chemical processes.
·
PNP is a transparent, viscous liquid with chemical
formula C₁₅H₂₄O.
·
The prescribed unit of measurement is MT/KG.
3. Tariff
Classification
·
The product is primarily classified under Customs
Tariff sub-heading 29071300 under Chapter 29.
·
DGTR clarified that tariff classification is only
indicative and does not determine the scope of the investigation.
4.
Subject Countries
·
The investigation covers imports from:
o
Russia
o
Taiwan
5. Like
Article Determination
·
DGTR has provisionally accepted that the PNP
produced by the domestic industry is a "like article" to the
imported product.
·
Domestic and imported PNP are considered comparable
in:
o
Physical and chemical properties
o
Manufacturing process
o
End-use applications
o
Product specifications
o
Pricing and distribution channels
6. Period
of Investigation (POI)
·
DGTR adopted a 12-month POI:
o
1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026.
·
Injury analysis will cover:
o
2022-23
o
2023-24
o
2024-25
o
POI period.
7.
Domestic Industry Standing
·
The applicant, SI Group India Pvt. Ltd., claims:
o
It has not imported the product from Russia or
Taiwan.
o
It is not related to exporters or producers in the
subject countries.
o
It accounts for more than 99% of India's
production of PNP.
·
DGTR has prima facie accepted the applicant as the
domestic industry and found that the standing requirements under anti-dumping
rules are satisfied.
8. Basis
of Dumping Allegation
·
Since reliable domestic price data for Russia and
Taiwan was unavailable, the applicant constructed normal values using
estimated:
o
Raw material costs
o
Utility costs
o
Manufacturing overheads
o
Administrative expenses
o
Reasonable profit margins.
·
Export prices were determined using import
transaction data from DG Systems after adjustments for:
o
Ocean freight
o
Marine insurance
o
Other export-related expenses.
9.
Preliminary Finding of Dumping
·
DGTR found prima facie evidence that:
o
Dumping margins are above the de minimis
threshold.
o
Dumping margins are significant.
o
Subject goods from Russia and Taiwan are being
dumped in the Indian market.
10.
Evidence of Injury
·
The domestic industry alleged that dumped imports
have caused:
o
Growth in import volumes (absolute and relative
terms)
o
Price suppression
o
Price depression
o
Deterioration in profitability indicators.
·
DGTR found sufficient prima facie evidence of:
o
Dumping
o
Material injury
o
Causal link between dumped imports and injury.
11.
Formal Initiation
·
Based on the evidence submitted, DGTR formally
initiated an anti-dumping investigation under:
o
Section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975
o
Anti-Dumping Rules, 1995.
12.
Participation by Interested Parties
·
Exporters, importers, users, governments, and other
interested parties must submit information through the SETU Portal.
·
Case ID:
o
AD/OI/023/2026.
13. Key
Deadlines
·
Comments on Product Under Consideration (PUC) and
Product Control Number (PCN) methodology:
o
Within 15 days of circulation of initiation
notice.
·
Submission of questionnaire responses and evidence:
o
Within 37 days from circulation of the
application.
14.
Confidentiality Requirements
·
Parties filing confidential information must
simultaneously provide a meaningful non-confidential version.
·
Failure to comply may result in rejection of
submissions.
Key
Takeaway
India's DGTR has launched an anti-dumping probe
into imports of Para Nonylphenol (PNP) from Russia and Taiwan
after finding prima facie evidence of significant dumping and injury to the
domestic producer, SI Group India Pvt. Ltd.
The investigation will determine whether anti-dumping duties should be imposed
to protect the domestic industry.