New Delhi, the 27^th July 2004

INITIATION NOTIFICATION

Subject: Initiation of Anti-dumping Investigations concerning import of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) originating in or exported from China PR.

M/s Hindustan Flurocarbons Ltd, Hyderabad, has filed a petition before the Designated Authority (hereinafter referred to as the Authority) in accordance with the Customs Tariff (Amendment) Act, 1995 and Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-Dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995 alleging dumping of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) originating in or exported from China PR and has requested for initiation of anti-dumping investigations and levy of anti-dumping duties.

1. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION

The product under consideration in the present case is "Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) originating in or exported from China PR" (also referred to as subject goods hereinafter). The subject goods are classified under Customs subheading 390461 and 39046100 in the Indian Trade Classification based on Harmonized system. Investigations are being initiated with respect to product under consideration irrespective of the classification under which they are being imported. Customs classifications are indicative only and in no way binding on the scope of these investigations.

PTFE is produced in various grades like molding grade, fine powder, aqueous dispersions and compound grades of filled grades and all grades are included within the scope of the product under consideration. PTFE is primarily used in electrical, electronic, mechanical and chemical industries for their unique characteristics which are chemical inertness, electrical and thermal insulation, low coefficient of friction, non toxic, non flammable, resistance to radiation, low level of static and dynamic friction and outstanding electrical properties over a wide frequency range.

2. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY STANDING

The petition has been filed by M/s Hindustan Flurocarbons Ltd, Hyderabad and they are the sole producer of the subject goods in India. The Authority after examining the above, determines that the petitioner constitutes a domestic Industry within the meaning of the rule 2(b) read with 2(d) and it satisfies the criteria of standing to file the petition in terms of Rule 5(3) (a) of the Rules supra.

3. COUNTRY INVOLVED

The country involved in the present investigation is China PR. (hereinafter also referred to as subject country).

4. LIKE GOODS

The petitioner has claimed that goods produced by it are like articles to the goods originating in or exported from subject country. There is no significant difference in the subject goods produced by the petitioner and those exported from subject country. The Petitioner claims that the two are technically and commercially substitutable. Therefore, for the purpose of present investigation, the goods produced by the petitioner are being treated as Like Articles to the product imported from the subject country within the meaning of the Rules, supra.

5. NORMAL VALUE

The Petitioner has claimed that China PR has to be treated as a non-market economy and normal value has to be determined in accordance with the Para 7 and 8 of Annexure I of the Anti Dumping Rules. The authority notes that there is sufficient evidence of the Normal value claimed for the subject goods from China PR.

6. EXPORT PRICE

The Petitioner has claimed the export price of the subject goods from the subject country based on the data published by DGCIS. Adjustments have been claimed on account of ocean freight, marine insurance, and inland transportation in the country of exports, port handling and port charges to arrive at the Export Price at ex-factory level. There is sufficient evidence of the export price and the adjustments claimed for the subject goods from subject country.

7. DUMPING MARGIN

There is, prima facie, evidence that the Normal Value of the subject goods in the subject country is significantly higher than the ex-factory export price indicating, prima facie, that the subject goods are being dumped by exporters from the subject country.

8. INJURY AND CAUSAL LINK

The Petitioner has furnished information on various parameters relating to material injury to the domestic industry. Parameters such as increase in the absolute volume of imports from the subject country, increase in the market share of imports from the subject countries in total imports and total demand, decline in the import prices from the subject country, decline in the market share of the domestic industry, significant rise in the inventory, decline in the domestic selling price, significant deterioration in profits, cash flow and return on investment, price undercutting, and price depression prima facie, indicate collectively and cumulatively that the domestic industry has suffered material injury on account of dumping of subject goods from subject country.

9. INITIATION OF ANTI DUMPING INVESTIGATIONS

The Designated Authority, in view of the foregoing paragraphs, initiates anti-dumping investigations into the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject country.

10. PERIOD OF INVESTIGATION

The Period of Investigation for the purpose of the present investigation is 1^st January 2003 to 31^st December 2003 (12 months).

11. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION

The exporters in the subject countries and the importers in India known to be concerned with this investigation are being addressed separately to submit relevant information in the form and manner prescribed and to make their views known to the Designated Authority, Directorate General of Anti Dumping & Allied Duties, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce, Government of India, Room No. 243, Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi – 1100 11.

As per Rule 6(5) of Rule supra, the Designated Authority is also providing opportunity to the industrial users of the article under investigation, and to representative consumer organizations who can furnish information which is relevant to the investigation regarding dumping, injury and causality. Any other interested party may also make its submissions relevant to the investigation within the time limit set out below.

12. TIME LIMIT

Any information relating to the present investigation should be sent in writing so as to reach the Authority at the address mentioned above not later than forty days from the date of publication of this notification. The known exporters and importers, who are being addressed separately, are however required to submit the information within forty days from the date of the letter addressed to them separately. It may be noted that no request, whatsoever, shall be entertained for extension in the prescribed time limit.

13. INSPECTION OF PUBLIC FILE

In terms of Rule 6(7), any interested party may inspect the public file containing non-confidential version of the evidence/application submitted by other interested parties. In case where an interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not provide necessary information within a reasonable period, or significantly impedes the investigation, the Authority may record its findings on the basis of the facts available to it and make such recommendations to the Central Government as deemed fit.

(ABHIJIT SENGUPTA)
DESIGNATED AUTHORITY

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