India initiates anti-dumping, countervailing duty probe into solar glass imported from Vietnam

India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated an anti-dumping and countervailing duty probe into imports of textured, tempered, coated and uncoated glass made in or from Vietnam.

The investigation was launched after an application filed by Borosil Renewables Limited on behalf of the domestic industry, DGTR said on its website.

The product is known by various names including solar glass, low iron solar glass, solar photovoltaic glass and high transmission photovoltaic glass. It is used as a component in solar modules and solar thermal applications.

A similar product from China is also subject to the ongoing anti-dumping investigation.

According to the applicant, the volume of the subject imports from Vietnam has increased in both absolute as well as in relative terms, resulting in a decline in capacity utilization of the domestic industry.

The authority has fixed the period of investigation (POI) from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (12 months). The injury information has been provided for the POI and three preceding years.

"On the basis of the duly substantiated application by the domestic industry, and having satisfied itself, on the basis of prima facie evidence submitted by the applicant substantiating the dumping and consequent injury to the domestic industry, the authority hereby initiates an anti-dumping investigation into the alleged dumping," the notification said.

Known producers/exporters in Vietnam and the Vietnam government as well as importers and users in India associated with the subject goods have to file all relevant information within 30 days of the notification.

If it is established that the dumping has caused material injury to domestic players, DGTR would recommend the imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports. India’s Ministry of Finance will take the final decision to impose duties.

With a strong influx of foreign investment, Vietnam has become a major solar panel producer. This is not the first time solar panels in Vietnam are facing an anti-dumping and countervailing investigation. The U.S. Department of Commerce had launched a similar investigation late March 2022 on solar modules imported from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia.