The Indian government has officially initiated an anti-dumping investigation concerning the import of Cold Rolled Non-Oriented Electrical Steel from China, as per a recent notification from the central government.

The application for the investigation was filed by POSCO Maharashtra Steel Pvt. Ltd. and CSCI Steel Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. on behalf of the domestic steel industry. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade indicated that the applicants alleged the imported steel is being sold at dumped prices, which they claim are causing significant harm to the domestic industry.

The notification further states that the applicants have expressed concerns over an impending threat of material injury to domestic producers due to these dumped imports. They are advocating for the imposition of anti-dumping duties to protect local manufacturers from the adverse effects of these imports.

Anti-dumping duties serve as a protective measure, designed to offset the price difference between imported goods sold below their normal market value and the domestic products of the importing country. The current investigation centers on Cold Rolled Non-Oriented Electrical Steel (CRNO), a type of cold-rolled flat steel product utilized in various applications, including iron core materials for power generators and electric motors.

According to the government notification, the subject goods being investigated are identical to those produced domestically, with no notable differences in technical specifications, quality, or end use. Therefore, the goods produced by the applicants in India will be treated as ‘like articles’ to those imported from China for the purpose of this investigation.

Parties involved in the application are required to submit their comments within 15 days following the initiation of the investigation. The outcome of this probe may have significant implications for the domestic steel industry and its ability to compete against imported products.

(Inputs from ANI)