EU Imposes Temporary Anti-Dumping Duties on Epoxy Resins from China and More

On February 27, 2025, the European Commission officially announced its preliminary ruling regarding the imposition of temporary anti-dumping duties on imported epoxy resins from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. This 65-page document details the entire process from the case filing to the preliminary ruling.

In June 2024, the Epoxy Resin Producers Alliance, representing the EU epoxy resin industry, filed a complaint with the European Commission. They presented evidence of dumping and the substantial harm caused by imports from these regions, justifying the initiation of an investigation.

On July 1, 2024, the European Commission launched the anti-dumping investigation under the basic regulation, publishing a notification in the Official Journal of the EU. The announcement elaborated on various aspects of the case, including stakeholder contacts, product registration, sampling of exporting producers, questionnaire responses, and verification visits.

Effective the day after the announcement, products affected will be subject to temporary anti-dumping duties in the form of a deposit upon importation into the EU. The Commission did not decide whether these duties would be retroactive, reserving that determination for the final ruling. There may be changes in the final duty rates or collection methods.

The market impact of the EU's decision is significant. This measure could hinder technological progress and innovation within the industry, disrupt the global supply chain, and escalate international trade tensions. Chinese epoxy resin companies have made substantial advancements in R&D, production processes, and environmental standards, yet the EU's anti-dumping measures could undermine their motivation and resources for innovation.

Moreover, epoxy resins are crucial materials in electronics, composite materials, and coatings. The disruption of exports could destabilize the global supply chain, leading to increased costs and shortages for downstream businesses, ultimately harming consumers.

Additionally, this action may encourage other countries to follow suit. The United States and India have also initiated anti-dumping and countervailing investigations regarding Chinese epoxy resins, further raising trade barriers and promoting protectionism, which threatens the fairness and transparency of the global trade system.

In response, the China Petrochemical Federation's Epoxy Resin and Application Committee announced plans to actively engage in legal proceedings to defend their interests.