China to review catechol imports
five-year programme of anti-dumping duties it set on catechol
imports from the European Union.
On 27 August, 2003, the Chinese government implemented a 20 to 79 per cent duty, following allegations that French Rhodia Organique had been found dumping at a margin of 20 per cent and Borregaard Italia at 27 per cent.
Catechol is used as a starting material in the synthesis of polymers, antioxidants, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and in photography and photosensitive copying papers.
In 2002, China issued a temporary ruling after finding that, French Rhodia Organique had been dumping at a margin of 88 per cent, Borregaard Italia at 50 per cent and all other EU firms at 92 per cent.
In the latest development, the MoC has said the duties need to be reviewed in the light of preliminary evidence raised by Sanjili Chemical Industry, based in Lianyungang in Jiangsu Province, which showed that catechol imports from the EU are increasing. Sanjili is the main producer of catechol in China and filed the initial anti-dumping petition.
TheMoC now says it will investigate catechol imports from the EU between 1 September, 2003, and 31 August, 2004.
EU-based catechol exporters and producers affected by the anti-dumping duties can submit data on the quantity and value of their exports to China within 20 days, effective today.
