The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended extending the anti-dumping duty on imported textured tempered glass (solar glass) from China by two more years.

DGTR found that solar glass continues to be exported to India at prices below normal value resulting in continued dumping. The dumping margin had increased during the period of the sunset review investigation as compared to the time of the original investigation.

According to the findings, the volume of imports from China will likely increase significantly, considering the dumped and injurious price at which goods have been exported. DGTR found a high export orientation of producers and exporters for solar glass in China who have significant surplus capacities.

Having conducted the review into dumping, injury, and the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury, DGTR concluded that continued imposition of anti-dumping duty is necessary.

Background

The Finance Ministry had imposed an anti-dumping duty on Chinese solar glass for five years, with effect from August 18, 2017. DGTR initiated an anti-dumping probe following a request from Indian solar glass manufacturer Borosil Renewables.

After an investigation, DGTR found no material difference between solar glass exported from China and those produced in India. The directorate found that solar glass produced domestically was comparable to the imported product in terms of physical characteristics, production technology, manufacturing process, and uses.

Price undercutting and suppression

DGTR found that the landed value of solar glass from China is significantly below the net sales realization of the domestic industry. Accordingly, the imports are undercutting the prices of the domestic industry. DGTR also found that the weighted average landed value of solar glass from China is consistently below the weighted average selling price and the weighted average cost of domestically produced solar glass. It also found that imported solar glass was undersold by ₹50 – ₹60 per ton.

DGTR noted that one of the Chinese producers shifted its exports from China to Malaysia after imposing anti-dumping duties on China. The combined market share of imports from China and Malaysia was significant during the entire investigation period.

Recommended anti-dumping duty

DGTR has recommended an anti-dumping duty of $192.82/MT on solar glass originating in or exported from China from producers Flat Glass Group, Anhui Flat Solar Glass Co, and Zhejiang Jiafu Glass Co. An anti-dumping duty of $253.39/MT on Shaanxi Topray Solar Co and $226.37/MT on Wujiang CSG Glass Co and Dongguan CSG Solar Glass Co has also been imposed.

An anti-dumping duty of $302.65/MT has been recommended on solar glass originating from any country other than China.

In March this year, DGTR recommended imposing anti-dumping duty on the imports of fluoro backsheet originating in or exported from China for five years. It initiated an anti-dumping probe after Indian module manufacturer RenewSys claimed that the Chinese fluoro backsheet is identical to what is manufactured in India.

DGTR has also recommended anti-dumping duty on certain flat-rolled aluminum products imported from China to offset the injury caused due to dumping in the Indian market. Hindalco Industries had filed an application seeking an anti-dumping investigation on the imports of flat-rolled aluminum products used in solar mounting structures.

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