The Finance Ministry has extended by one year the validity of anti-dumping duty on 'caustic soda' imports from the US and Saudi Arabia.
The latest revenue department move follows recommendation of the Designated Authority in the Commerce Ministry in its sunset review initiation notification on Monday.
Caustic soda is an inorganic soapy, strongly alkaline and odourless chemical and finds application in various fields like manufacture of pulp and paper, newsprint, viscose yarn, staple fibre, aluminium, cotton, textiles, toilet and laundry soaps, detergent, dyestuffs, drugs and pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining etc.
The Designated Authority had recommended extension of validity of existing anti-dumping duty by one more year. The existing anti-dumping duty ranges from 'Nil' to $ 55.96 per tonne depending on the producer and country of export.
The Alkali Manufacturers' Association of India (AMAI) had filed the petition for extension of period, modification and enhancement of existing anti-dumping duty on import of caustic soda from United States and Saudi Arabia.
AMAI's petition was on behalf of three major domestic producers -- DCW Ltd, Grasim Industries Ltd and SIEL Chemical Complex.