Anti-dumping duty imposed on detergent ingredient 'Zeolite 4A' from China

The Finance Ministry has imposed definitive anti-dumping duty on detergent grade ‘Zeolite 4A’ from China. This anti-dumping duty unless revoked earlier – will last for five years. The duty – in the range from $ 163.96 per tonne to $ 207.72 per tonne – has beenimposed on recommendations of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) after conducting a probe in this regard. DGTR, the investigation arm of the Commerce Ministry, had conducted the probe on complaint of Gujarat Credo Mineral Industries and Chemicals India which alleged injury to the domestic industry on account of the cheap import from China.

Zeolite 4A is mainly used in detergents as a builder. Zeolites are micro porous crystalline solids with well-defined structures. Generally, they contain silicon, aluminium and oxygen in their framework and cations, water and/or other molecules within their pores. Many occur naturally as minerals, and are extensively mined in many parts of the world. Others are synthetic, and are made commercially for specific uses in various industries. Detergent grade zeolites are primarily water softener compounds, used to remove calcium and magnesium ions from hard water. This results in softening of water, which requires less soap for the same cleaning effort, as soap is not wasted in mopping up calcium ions.