The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated an anti-dumping investigation on imports of textured tempered coated and uncoated glass originating in or exported from China and Vietnam.

This investigation stems from an application submitted by Borosil Renewables, alleging similarities between their domestically produced solar glass and the imported counterparts. Borosil argued that these imports are equivalent in physical and chemical attributes, manufacturing processes, functions, pricing, distribution, and tariff classifications.

Borosil also stated that its solar glass and those imported are technically and commercially substitutable.

Borosil initially proposed July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, as the investigation period, while the DGTR opted for January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Injury data has been furnished for this specified period and the preceding three years: April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, and April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.

The Finance Ministry had imposed an anti-dumping duty on Chinese solar glass for five years, with effect from August 18, 2017. In May 2022, DGTR recommended extending the anti-dumping duty on imported textured tempered glass from China by two more years.

Borosil presented initial evidence showing how the influx of imported goods has harmed the domestic industry. The volume of imports from these countries has risen significantly, both in absolute terms and relative to previous periods. As a result, the domestic industry’s capacity utilization has decreased. Furthermore, the pricing pressure caused by these dumped imports has prevented the domestic industry from raising prices enough to cover their costs and make a reasonable profit.

A comparison of normal value and export prices at the ex-factory level suggests a significant dumping margin, indicating the dumping of products from China and Vietnam into the Indian market. DGTR’s examination found adverse effects on domestic industry profitability parameters, leading to negative cash profits, pre-tax income, and return on capital employed throughout the injury investigation period.

Additionally, a rise in domestic industry inventory levels further supports the claim of injury due to dumped imports from China and Vietnam.

Based on Borosil’s substantiated application and the prima facie evidence provided, DGTR has initiated an anti-dumping investigation.

Textured tempered glass is used as a component in solar modules and solar thermal applications. The product is also known by various names such as solar glass, low iron solar glass, solar glass low iron, solar photovoltaic glass, high transmission photovoltaic glass, tempered low iron patterned solar glass, etc.

During the investigation period, besides Borosil, M Gobind Glass and Industries was another domestic producer involved in the manufacturing of the said product. However, post-application, DGTR received support letters from four other domestic producers— Triveni Glass, Vishakha Renewables, Emerge Glass, and Gold Plus Glass— who recently entered production of the considered product. Despite these new entrants, Borosil remains a major contributor to total production in India.

Recently, DGTR recommended the extension of anti-dumping duty on the imports of ethylene vinyl acetate backsheets originating in or exported from China for five years.

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