India recommends anti-dumping duty on Chinese chemical used in dye industry

India's trade ​ministry has recommended imposing anti-dumping duties ​on imports of a key industrial chemical from China after an investigation found that low-priced shipments were ‌hurting ⁠domestic producers.

The ⁠Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the trade ministry, launched the probe into imports of 4,4-Diamino Stilbene-2,2-Disulphonic Acid (DASDA) following a complaint by Indian chemical maker Deepak Nitrite Limited.

The DGTR proposed ​a reference-price-based duty, under ⁠which importers would ‌pay the difference between the ​arrival ​price and a reference price of $3,453 ⁠per ton if shipments fall below ​that level.


DASDA is an organic chemical ​used mainly to make optical brightening agents and dye intermediates for textiles and other industries.

The watchdog said there was prima facie evidence that the product was exported ‌to India at dumped prices, causing injury to domestic manufacturers.

The investigation ​covered April ​2023 to ⁠June 2024, along with earlier years to assess the impact on the sector.

India had previously ​imposed anti-dumping duties on DASDA, but they lapsed in 2019.

The finance ministry will make the final decision on whether to impose the duties.