The US Department of Commerce has begun an antidumping probe into PET imports from Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan and Taiwan, it said late Tuesday.
The investigation follows petitions from DAK Americas, Indorama Ventures USA, M&G Polymers USA, and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. on September 26, the department said, pointing out that Indorama Ventures USA was not a petitioner for imports from Indonesia.
The estimated dumping margins alleged by the petitioners were 18.76-115.87% for Brazil, 8.49-53.5% for Indonesia, 55.74-101.41% for South Korea, 25.03-43.4% for Pakistan, and 14.67-450% for Taiwan.
The department will determine if the PET imports "are being dumped in the US market at less than fair value" while the International Trade Commission will determine if the imports caused injury to the domestic industry.
If the ITC determines that there was injury in its preliminary findings that are due November 13, the department will continue its investigations and announce its preliminary report by March 5, 2018, followed by a final determination on May 21, 2018.
In 2016, imports of PET resin from Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan and Taiwan stood at 58,397 mt, 35,420 mt, 26,133 mt, 36,767 mt and 115,327 mt, respectively, the department said.
