The UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has launched a dumping investigation into imports of suspension polyvinylchloride (S-PVC) from China, Mexico and South Korea, after claims that unfairly priced imports are damaging the country’s only producer.

 

The investigation was triggered by an application from INOVYN ChlorVinyls Ltd, which manufactures S-PVC at its Newton Aycliffe site in County Durham. The company, which also operates UK sites in Runcorn and Northwich in Cheshire, alleges that dumped imports from the three countries are causing injury to the domestic industry.

 

S-PVC is a key industrial material used in the manufacture of everyday products including pipes, window frames, cables, flooring and packaging.

 

The TRA’s investigation will assess whether imports from China, Mexico and South Korea are being dumped and whether those imports are causing harm to the UK S-PVC sector. If injury is proven and a trade remedy is recommended, measures could be introduced to help restore fair competition and strengthen the long-term resilience of the UK chemicals industry.

 

The chemicals sector has been identified by the Government as strategically important, with a £350 million Critical Chemicals Resilience Fund announced earlier this year to support critical supply chains and key producers.

 

Before any trade remedy is introduced, the TRA will also conduct an economic interest test to determine whether action would be in the best interests of the UK economy.

 

Businesses that may be affected by the investigation can register to participate through the Trade Remedies Service application portal by 21 August.

 

The investigation marks the latest step in efforts to assess whether overseas trade practices are undermining UK producers and whether action is needed to protect strategic domestic industries.