The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has finalized its investigation on the alleged dumping of textured toughened (tempered) coated and uncoated solar glass imported from China and Vietnam. Following its findings, the ministry has recommended imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on all such imports for five years. Additionally, a countervailing duty has been suggested on imports from Vietnam to offset subsidies provided by the Vietnamese government.
The investigation was initiated after Borosil Renewables Limited, a domestic solar glass manufacturer, filed a complaint, claiming that the influx of cheap imports was harming the Indian industry. Based on preliminary findings, a provisional anti-dumping duty was imposed in December 2024, pending the completion of the final investigation. The latest recommendation solidifies the findings that imports from these countries were causing material injury to Indian manufacturers by being sold at prices lower than fair market value.
According to the report, the dumped imports from China and Vietnam significantly increased over the years, accounting for a major share of the Indian solar glass market. The investigation found that these imports were undercutting domestic prices, affecting sales, production, and profitability of Indian manufacturers. Furthermore, the increase in dumped imports prevented Indian manufacturers from expanding their market presence and forced them to sell at reduced prices, leading to financial strain.
The Commerce Ministry’s report highlights that China and Vietnam exported solar glass at prices below their normal value, confirming the practice of dumping. In Vietnam’s case, government subsidies further distorted market conditions, necessitating countervailing duties in addition to anti-dumping measures. The final recommendations include the imposition of duties based on the level of dumping and the injury caused to Indian producers. These duties aim to restore fair competition in the market and create a level playing field for domestic manufacturers.
The company involved in the case welcomed the decision, stating that it would help promote domestic manufacturing of solar glass and support India’s renewable energy sector. They believe that these duties will encourage investment in local production and contribute to the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by reducing dependence on imported solar components.
The final decision on the imposition of the duties now rests with the Ministry of Finance, which will issue the official notification. The Ministry of Commerce has attached all relevant notifications and reports detailing the investigation process, evidence gathered, and the rationale behind the recommendations.
Industry experts believe that this move will strengthen India’s solar glass manufacturing sector and align with the broader goal of self-sufficiency in renewable energy components. However, some stakeholders argue that imposing duties may increase the cost of solar projects in the short term, impacting the overall growth of the solar energy sector.
The government maintains that these measures are necessary to protect domestic industry while ensuring fair trade practices. The decision to impose definitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties marks a significant step in regulating the solar glass market and safeguarding Indian manufacturers from unfair competition.
