Product description – The product under consideration is Normal Butanol. It is a primary alcohol with a 4-carbon structure and molecular formula C4H9OH. NBA is an excellent solvent for acid-curable lacquers and baking finishes derived from urea, melamine or phenolic resins.
HS Codes – The product is classified under Chapter 29 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, under sub-heading 2905 13 00.
Uses – A large portion of Normal Butanol is converted into derivatives used as solvents in the coating industry. It also serves as an excellent solvent for acid-curable lacquers and baking finishes derived from urea, melamine, or phenolic resins.
It has various other applications, including use as a solvent for printing inks, an extractant in the production of pharmaceuticals and natural substances, an additive in polishes and cleaners, feedstock for the production of flotation aids such as Butyl Xanthate etc.
Countries involved – Taiwan and Saudi Arabia
Applicant(s) – The Andhra Petrochemicals Limited
Period of investigation – 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025
Injury period – 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and the period of investigation.
Facts of the present case – The present application was filed pursuant to the dumping of normal butanol from Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. The volume of imports from subject countries increased in absolute terms as well as in relative term. The subject imports are undercutting the prices of the applicant in the domestic industry and had a depressing effect on its price. As a result, the applicant has incurred severe losses, cash losses, negative PBIT, and negative return on capital employed. Further, it has also been claimed that the subject imports have led to decline in production, capacity utilization and the domestic sales of the domestic industry.