MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(Department of Commerce)
(DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TRADE REMEDIES)
INITIATION NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 20th June 2020
Subject: Initiation of Anti-Dumping Investigation concerning imports of Aluminium Foil 80 micron and below from China PR, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
F. No. 06/twenty one/2020-DGTR.- M / s Hindalco Industries Ltd., M / s Raviraj Foils Ltd. & M / s Jindal India Ltd (hereinafter referred to as the ‘applicants’ or “applicant companies”) have filed an application before the Designated Authority (hereinafter also referred to as the “Authority”) in accordance with Customs Tariff Act, 1975 as amended from time to time (herein also referred to as the “Act”) and Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995 (hereinafter also referred to as the ” Rules “). seeking initiation of anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Aluminium foil 80 micron and below” (hereinafter referred to as “subject goods” or “product under consideration”) originating in or exported from China PR, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Korea RP.
2. The Applicants have alleged that material injury to the Domestic Industry is being caused due to dumped imports from China PR, Korea RP, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand and has requested for imposition of anti- dumping duty on the imports of the subject goods from these countries.
Subject Countries
3. The Applicants have claimed dumping and injury from China PR, Korea RP, Indonesia, Malaysia, and However, the dumping margin for Korea RP is noted to be below de-minimis. Accordingly, the subject countries for the current investigation are China PR, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Product under Consideration (PUC)
4. The product under consideration in the present application is ?”Aluminium Foil whether or not printed or backed with paper, paper board, plastics or similar packing materials of a thickness of 80 micron and below (with permissible tolerances)” excluding the following:
i. Aluminium foil of thickness ranging from 5.5 micron to 80 micro originating in China.
ii. Alu Alu Laminate: Alu Alu Laminate of 40 – 50 mic in AA8079 & AA8021, is a multi-layered opaque laminate where Aluminium foil and is backed with plastic film on both side with adhesives; for use in packing capsules / tablets.
iii. Ultra Light Gauge Converted: Ultra Light Gauge Converted is an Aluminium foil having thickness of 5.5 6 mic to 7 mic which and is backed with kraft paper & scrim, or glass cloth, whether plain or printed for use in insulation, spices packing, thermal fluid lines covering and tea bags application.
iv. Aluminium Foil Composite: Aluminium foil laminated with or backed with Kraft paper and glass scrim or glass cloth with or without poly ethylene, whether printed or not printed. Aluminium foil laminated with or backed with Kraft paper however is within the scope of the product under consideration and proposed
v. Aluminum foil for capacitors width below 500 mm: Aluminum foil for capacitors is an Aluminum foil of 5 micron gauge with width below 500 mm 99.35% purity, for use in electrical equipment such as radios, televisions, telephones, computers, microwave ovens, electrical welders, magnetos, electronic testing equipment, copy machines, air conditioners, automobiles, fluorescent lights, mercury vapour street lamps, power transmission equipment , electric motors, control units, and similar articles.
vi. Etched or formed Aluminium Foils: Etched or formed Aluminium Foils is Aluminium Foil meant to be used in the manufacture of Electrolytic Capacitor.
vii. Aluminium composite panel: Aluminium composite panel is a non-aluminium core (often PE) bonded between two thin layers of aluminium, for use in facade cladding and signage.
viii. Clad with compatible non clad Aluminium Foil: Clad with compatible non clad Aluminium Foil is a corrosion-resistant Aluminium sheet formed from Aluminium surface layers metallurgically bonded to high-strength Aluminium alloy core material for use in engine cooling and air conditioner systems in automotive industry; such as radiator, condenser, evaporator, intercooler, oil cooler and heater.
ix. Aluminium Foil for beer bottle: Aluminium Foil of 10.5 micron with rough surface and perforated whether printed or not; to be used in beer bottle.
x. Aluminium- Manganese- Silicon based and / or clad Aluminium- Manganese- Silicon based alloys, whether clad or unclad: with post brazing yield strength greater than 35 MPA, falling under tariff heading 7607 for use in heat exchangers including radiators, charge air coolers, condensers, oil coolers, heater cores, evaporators, heat ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and parts thereof.
5. The product under consideration is classified under subheading 7607 of the Customs Tariff Act 760711, 76071110 76071190, 760719, 76071910, 760719 91, 760719 92, 760719 93, 760719 94, 760719 95, 760719 99, 760720, 76072010 and 76072010. The customs classification is indicative only and is not binding on the scope of the product under consideration.
6. The Applicants have proposed for the adoption of Product Control Numbers (PCNs) for the fair comparison between different types of products. The Applicants have proposed the PCNs based on the two broad categories as bare foil and converted foil. Bare foil is plain foil and converted foil is backed with paper, kraft, polyethylene etc.
7. The PCNs as suggested by the Applicants are given below. The interested parties however, can provide their comments / suggestions for the finalization of PCNs for the purpose of this investigation within 15 days from the date of initiation of this investigation.
Type of Foil
Micron Range
Bare / converted
Alu Alu Stock
45-60 mic
Bare
Home Foil
9 -18 micron
Light Gauge (LG)
7-18 micron
Medium Gauge (MG)
20-60 mic
Semi Rigid Container (SRC)
33 – 80 mic
Ultra Light Gauge Bare
5.5 to <7 micron
Ultra Light Gauge Bare
Below 5.5 micron
Cigarette Foil
Below 7 Mic
SRC Converted
33 - 80 mic
Converted
Medium Gauge (MG) Converted
20-60 mic
Home Foil Converted
9 -18 micron
Light Gauge (LG) Converted
7-19 icron
Like Article
8. The Applicants have claimed that there is no known difference between the subject goods exported from the subject countries and that produced by the domestic industry. Subject goods produced by the domestic industry and imported from the subject countries are comparable in terms of essential product characteristics such as physical & chemical characteristics, manufacturing process & technology, functions & uses, product specifications, pricing, distribution & marketing and tariff classification of the goods. Consumers use the two interchangeably. The Applicants have further claimed that the two are technically and commercially substitutable and, hence, should be treated as like article under the Rules. Therefore, for the purpose of the present investigation, the subject goods produced by the Applicants in India are being treated as "Like Article" to the subject goods being imported from the subject countries.
Domestic Industry & Standing
9. The Application has been filed by M / s Hindalco Industries Ltd., M / s Raviraj Foils Ltd. & M / s Jindal India The Applicants have claimed that they have neither imported the subject goods from the subject countries nor are related to any exporter or producer of subject goods in the subject countries or any importer of the PUC in India. Considering the information on record, the Applicant accounts for a major proportion of the Indian production. In view of the above and after due examination, the Authority notes that the Applicants constitutes eligible domestic industry in terms of Rule 2 (b), and the application satisfies the criteria of standing in terms of Rule 5 (3) of the Rules supra.
Basis of Alleged Dumping
a. Normal Value for China PR
10. The Applicants have claimed that China PR should be treated as a non-market economy and the normal value should be determined in terms of paragraph-7 of Annexure I of the Rules. The Applicants have cited Para 8 (2) of Annexure I of the Rules and has stated that the Chinese producers should be directed to demonstrate that market economy conditions prevail in the industry producing the subject goods in terms Para 8 (3) of Annexure I of the Rules. The Applicants have claimed that for China, normal value should be determined in accordance with para 7 and 8 of Annexure I of the Rules. The prices or constructed value of the product under consideration in the appropriate market economy third country or the prices from such third country to other countries, including India, has neither been made available by the Applicants nor is this information available with the Authority from any public source. Thus, normal value has been determined on the basis of price paid or payable in India, duly adjusted to include profit, which has been determined considering cost of production in India, after addition for selling, general & administrative expenses and reasonable profits.
b. Normal Value Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
11. The Applicants have claimed that the data relating to price in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand is not available. The Applicants have not provided information regarding the appropriate third country. This information is also not available with the Authority from any public source. The normal value for these subject countries has been estimated on the basis of best estimates of cost of production of subject goods in India along with associated selling, general and administrative expenses, and reasonable profit.
c. Export price
12. The Authority has computed the export price for subject goods for the subject countries based on Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI & S) transaction-wise import data. Adjustments have been made for ocean freight, marine insurance, port expenses, bank charges, commission, inland freight expenses (and VAT in case of China PR).
d. Dumping margin
13. The normal value and the export price have been compared at ex-factory level, which prima facie shows dumping margin is above the de-minimis level and is significant in respect of the PUC from the subject countries. There is sufficient prima facie evidence that the PUC from subject countries is being dumped into the Indian market by the exporters from the subject countries.
Evidence of injury and causal link
14. Information furnished by the Applicants has been considered for assessment of injury to the domestic The Applicant have furnished evidence regarding the injury resulting from the alleged dumping of dumped imports during the Period of Investigation in the form of increase volume of dumped imports in absolute terms and in relation to production and consumption, price undercutting and price suppressing effect on the domestic industry. The Applicants have claimed that their performance has been adversely impacted resulting in decline in production, capacity utilisation, domestic sales volumes, market share, profitability, cash flow and return on capital employed as a result of increase in imports of product under consideration from subject countries at a price below the selling price, and non-injurious price of the domestic industry. The Applicants have also claimed that there is a further threat of injury to the domestic industry in view of significant capacities of subject goods in subject countries, and suppressing and depressing effect of import prices on domestic selling prices. There is sufficient prima facie evidence of injury being caused to the domestic industry by dumped imports of subject goods from the subject countries.
Initiation of Anti-Dumping Investigation
15. On the basis of the duly substantiated written application by or on behalf of the domestic industry, and having satisfied itself, on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the domestic industry, about dumping of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject countries, injury to the domestic industry and causal link between such alleged dumping and injury, and in accordance with Section 9A of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Rules, the Authority, hereby, initiates an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping in respect of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject countries and to recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry.
Period of Investigation (POI)
16. The period of investigation (POI) for the present investigation is 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020 (12 Months). The injury investigation period will cover the periods 1st April 2016- 31st March 2017, 1st April 2017- 31st March 2018, 1st April 2018- 31st March 2019 and the POI.
Procedure
17. Principles as given in Rule 6 of the Rules will be followed for the present investigation.
Submission of Information
18. In view of the special circumstances arising out of COVID-1 9 pandemic, all communication should be sent to the Designated Authority via email at email address adg11-dgtr @ gov.in and adv12-dgtr @ gov.in. It should be ensured that the narrative part of the submission is in searchable PDF / MS Word format and data files are in MS Excel format.
19. The known exporters, their Government through their Embassy in India, the importers and users in India known to be concerned with the subject goods and the domestic industry are being informed separately to enable them to file all the relevant information in the form and manner prescribed within the time-limit set out below.
20. Any other interested party may also make its submissions relevant to the investigation in the form and manner prescribed within the time-limit set out below on the email address mentioned in Para 18 above.
21. Any party making any confidential submission before the Authority is required to make a non-confidential version of the same available to the other parties.
Time Limit
twenty two. Any information relating to the present investigation should be sent to the Designated Authority via email at the email addresses adg11-dgtr @ gov.in and adv12-dgtr @ gov.in within thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice as per Rule 6 (4) of the Anti-Dumping Rules. It may, however, be noted that in terms of explanation of the said Rule, the notice calling for information and other documents shall be deemed to have been received within one week from the date on which it was sent by the Designated Authority or transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representative of the exporting country. If no information is received within the prescribed time limit or the information received is incomplete, the Authority may record its findings on the basis of the facts available on record in accordance with the Rules.
twenty three. All the interested parties are hereby advised to intimate their interest (including the nature of interest) in the instant matter and file their questionnaire responses within the above time limit.
Submission of information on confidential basis
twenty four. Any party making any confidential submission or providing information on confidential basis before the Authority, is required to simultaneously submit a non-confidential version of the same in terms of Rule 7 (2) of the Rules and the Trade Notices issued in this regard. Failure to adhere to the above may lead to rejection of the response / submissions.
25. The parties making any submission (including Appendices / Annexures attached thereto), before the Authority including questionnaire response, are required to file Confidential and Non-Confidential versions
26. The "confidential" or "non-confidential" submissions must be clearly marked as "confidential" or "non-confidential" at the top of each page. Any submission made without such marking shall be treated as non-confidential by the Authority, and the Authority shall be at liberty to allow the other interested parties to inspect such submissions.
27. The confidential version shall contain all information which is by nature confidential and / or other information which the supplier of such information claims as confidential. For information which are claimed to be confidential by nature or the information on which confidentiality is claimed because of other reasons, the supplier of the information is required to provide a good cause statement along with the supplied information as to why such information can not be disclosed.
28. The non-confidential version is required to be a replica of the confidential version with the confidential information preferably indexed or blanked out (in case indexation is not feasible) and summarized depending upon the information on which confidentiality is claimed. The non-confidential summary must be in sufficient detail to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information furnished on confidential basis. However, in exceptional circumstances, the party submitting the confidential information may indicate that such information is not susceptible to summary, and a statement of reasons why summarization is not possible must be provided to the satisfaction of the Authority.
29. The Authority may accept or reject the request for confidentiality on examination of the nature of the information submitted. If the Authority is satisfied the request for confidentiality is not warranted or if the supplier of the information is either unwilling to make the information public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or summary form, it may disregard such information.
30. Any submission made without a meaningful non-confidential version thereof or without good cause statement on the confidentiality claim shall not be taken on record by the Authority.
31. The Authority on being satisfied and accepting the need for confidentiality of the information provided, shall not disclose it to any party without specific authorization of the party providing such information.
Inspection of Public File
32. In terms of Rule 6 (7) of the Rules, any interested party may inspect the public file containing non-confidential version of the evidence submitted by other interested parties. The modality of maintaining public file in electronic mode is being worked out.
Non-cooperation
33. In case where an interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not provide 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.
BHUPINDER S. BHALLA, Addl. Secy. & Designated Authority