Anti-dumping duty on PTA from 5 countries

Indian producers of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), a key raw material for manufacturing polyester chips, have cause for cheer with the Finance Ministry imposing definitive anti-dumping duty (ADD) on its imports from China, Iran, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. This Revenue Department move—which came less than a month after the recommendation of the designated authority in the Commerce Ministry—is expected to come as a relief for Reliance Industries and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).

PTA—a white, free flowing crystalline powder—is the primary raw material for the manufacture of polyester chips which in turn is used in a number of applications in textiles, packaging, furnishings, consumer goods, resins and coatings. MCC PTA India Corp and Reliance Industries had filed the petition seeking levy of ADD on PTA imports from these countries. IOCL had supported the petition. Based on the recommendations of the designated authority in its final findings, the Revenue Department has imposed ADD that ranged from $83.08 per tonne to $168.76 per tonne depending on the producer and country of export. ADD has been levied for five years effective from December 10, 2015, the date on which the provisional duty was imposed. In the case of China, the Revenue Department has levied ADD of$ 95.70 per tonne on PTA produced by BP Zhuhai Chemical Company Ltd and exported by BP Asia Ltd, Hong Kong. For all other producers and exporters of PTA from China, the duty has been pegged at $97.60 per tonne.

In case of Indonesia, ADD of $83.08 per tonne has been imposed on PTA produced by BP Petrochemicals and exported by BP Asia Ltd, Hong Kong. For all other producers and exporters of PTA from Indonesia, ADD has been pegged at $168.76 per tonne. For Taiwan, ADD of $136.72 per tonne on PTA produced by China American Petrochemical Co Ltd, Taiwan and exported by BP Asia Ltd, Hong Kong has been imposed. For PTA produced and exported by Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation, Taiwan, ADD has been pegged at $ 85.87 per tonne. For all other producers and exporters of PTA from Taiwan, it is $153.60 per tonne. While PTA imports from Iran will now attract ADD of $102.86 per tonne, the duty in the case of PTA imports from Malaysia has been pegged at $98.48 per tonne.