India imposes anti-dumping duties on insoluble sulphur from China, Japan

New Delhi – The India government has imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on imports of insoluble sulphur from China and Japan.

The chemical compound is primarily used by tire manufacturers to improve rubber vulcanisation.

The decision followed an investigation by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) conducted last year, upon a petition by Oriental Carbon and Chemicals in March 2024.

DGTR investigations revealed that exporters from both countries had been dumping the product at low prices, affecting the profitability and pricing strength of Indian producers.

The period of investigation was 1 Jan 2023 to 31 Dec 2023 while the injury investigation period covered April 2020 to 31 Dec 2023.

According to the trade authority, the market share of the subject countries “has been significantly increasing” while the local Indian industry’s capacities are “lying idle” amid growing demand.

The domestic industry, it said, has been operating at a utilisation rate of 55-65% over the injury period, with profitability and return on capital employed declining.

“The domestic industry is facing significant price pressure from the dumped imports and had to reduce its selling prices to retain its falling market share,” it added.

As a result, DGTR established that the Indian domestic industry had suffered material injury due to dumped imports from the subject countries.

The duties range from $259 to $358 per tonne, with Chinese importers facing a flat duty of $307/tonne.

Among Japanese companies, Shikoku Chemicals will be charged $259/tonne, while all other Japanese exporters will face the maximum rate of $358/tonne.