The EU Commission has initiated anti-dumping proceedings against decor paper imports from China. A corresponding publication was made in the Official Journal of the European Union at the end of the 24th calendar week.
On 2 May, four European decor paper producers lodged a corresponding complaint, among them German papermakers Felix Schoeller group and Koehler Paper. The investigation covers decor paper weighing 30–150 g/m2 which has an ash content of 5–50 per cent and a resin pick-up of 20–200 per cent. Besides conventional decor paper, pre-impregnated paper will also be included in the analysis. The investigation will cover the period between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. In addition, a reference period was determined to run from 1 January 2020 to the end of the investigation period.
The EU Commission says the complainants have furnished proof of the fact that the past few years have seen a marked rise in decor paper imports from China. These imports and the resulting shift in market shares had significant adverse effects on the business operations of producers within the European Union. Enjoying advantages in the procurement of pulp and titanium dioxide, Chinese producers were able to offer decor paper at prices far below those of European producers, claim the complainants.
The anti-dumping investigation must be completed within 12–14 months. This means that a final decision must be taken by mid-August 2025 at the latest. Preliminary measures can be introduced within 7–8 months.
Felix Schoeller and Koehler Paper welcome the investigation by the EU Commission
In a company statement Felix Schoeller welcomed the initiation of the anti-dumping investigation. Schoeller and the other decor paper manufacturers who had lodged the complaint are said to “firmly believe that this investigation is a pivotal step towards preventing further material harm to the European decor paper industry and ensuring fair and healthy competition in the European market.” Anti-dumping duties are necessary to restore a level playing field for all industry players, writes the Osnabrück-based paper producer.
Likewise, commenting on the investigation Koehler Paper also comes out in favour of “joint action against flooding of the EU market with unfairly priced decor paper.” Koehler says it firmly believes that this investigation initiated by the EU can contribute to preventing material damage to the European decor paper industry and guarantee fairness when operating in the European market.
