The Indian Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated an anti-dumping investigation for imported fluoro backsheets originating in or exported from China into the country. Fluoro backsheets can either be laminated or partially of fully coated with solvent or extrusion lamination or liquid coating technology. It helps protect the solar module from harsh sun rays, dust, moisture and dirt. (Background on backsheet technology and products can be found in our TaiyangNews Market Survey on Backsheets & Encapsulants).
The investigation has been launched in response to an application filed by Indian encapsulants, backsheet, cell and module manufacturer RenewSys India Private Limited, one of the 4 such producers of the product in India. In its application, the company has claimed that the identical to the goods produced by the domestic industry, fluoro backsheets are being dumped into India.
The DGTR claims as per the prima facie evidence furnished by the Indian manufacturer, there is 'sufficient' prima facie evidence of material injury being caused to the domestic industry by dumped imports from China. It then justifies the initiation of the investigation.
The period of investigation (POI) spans October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020, however the injury period will be covered from:
The DGTR said through the course of this investigation, it will determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping for the said product and recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty, 'which if levied' would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry'.
Detailed initiation notification is available on the DGTR website.
Previously, India imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese tempered glass used for solar panels (see India Anti-Dumping Duty On Chinese Solar Glass).