Acting on an application filed by Indian integrated PV manufacturer RenewSys India Private Limited, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended imposition of anti-dumping (AD) tariffs on fluoro backsheets originating in or exported from China, for a period of 5 years.
The recommended tariff of $762 per metric ton (MT) is for Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co Ltd, whether the product originated or imported from any country including China, and $908 per MT for any other company. Transparent backsheets are out of the purview of this recommendation.
For the background, encapsulant, backsheet, solar cell and module producer RenewSys had complained that Chinese producers are dumping fluoro backsheets into the Indian market, and the DGTR saw prima facie evidence of material injury to local industry (see India: Anti-Dumping Investigation For Fluoro Backsheet).
In its final findings, the investigation agency has found substantial dumping margin having been exported to India at a price below the normal value. Imports also increased in absolute terms throughout the injury investigation period and were at prices even below the cost of sales, according to the DGTR.
It has determined that the domestic industry was running into losses during the period of investigation that covered October 1, 2019 to September 20, 2020. This and 3 financial years from April 2017 to March 2018, April 2018 to March 2019, and April 2019 to March 2020 covered the injury analysis period.
"The Authority considers it necessary to recommend imposition of the anti-dumping duty on the imports of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject country," reads the DGTR report. "Having regards to the lesser duty rule followed, the Authority recommends imposition of antidumping duty equal to the lesser of the margin of dumping and the margin of injury so as to remove the injury to the domestic industry."
The final decision now rests with the Central Government that's expected to issue a notification in this regard which is when the duties will be finally imposed.
DGTR's final findings of the investigation can be found on its website.
Chinese tempered glass is already under AD tariffs imposed by India, and there is also a Basic Customs Duty (BCD) coming up from April 1, 2022 on Chinese solar cells and modules. The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has said BCD imposition could negatively impact over 10 GW AC solar power capacity in India if not grandfathered (see 10 GW Solar In India Under Threat From BCD).
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