India mulling antidumping duty on acrylic fibre from 5 nations

India is considering to impose anti-dumping duty on a certain type of fibre as the commerce ministry has started a probe on the imports of this commodity from the European Union, China, Belarus, Ukraine and Peru.

The ministry's anti-dumping investigation arm - Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) - has found "sufficient" evidence of dumping of acrylic fibre from these regions.

Indian Acrylics Ltd and Pasupati Acrylon have jointly filed an application for initiation of anti-dumping investigation. Acrylic fibre is lightweight, soft and warm with a wool like feel. It is used in making sweaters, tracksuits, gloves, furnishing fabrics and carpets.

The directorate has initiated "an investigation into the alleged dumping and consequent injury to the domestic industry," DGAD has said in a notification.

If established that dumping has caused material injury to domestic players, the DGAD would recommend imposition of anti-dumping duty on imports of fibre from the European Union, China, Belarus, Ukraine and Peru. The period of investigation covers July-December 2016. Anti-dumping duties are levied to provide a level playing field to local industry by guarding against cheap below-cost imports.