International. The European Commission announced the imposition of provisional anti-dumping measures on imports of titanium dioxide (TiO2) from China, with an overall rate of +39.7%.
This decision follows a procedure initiated in November last year, at the behest of European TiO2 manufacturers.
Since the publication of the regulation, which came into force on 12 July, all imports of TiO2 from China will have to pay an additional cost of +39.7%.
Titanium dioxide, essential in the paints and inks industry due to its pigmenting and coating properties, is a strategic raw material for the sector. Its high cost significantly affects the final price of the products, and there are no viable alternatives to this material.
The lack of TiO2 production in Europe has led to a significant dependence on imports from China, which have provided competitive alternatives and boosted productive capacity, particularly for European SMEs. However, the new anti-dumping measure is generating growing concern in the industry.
The Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Paints and Printing Inks (Asefapi) has warned about the serious negative effects of the measure. According to the association, the price hike caused by the anti-dumping tax will not only affect TiO2 imported from China, but will have repercussions at the level of the entire paint and ink industry in Europe, exacerbating inflationary costs and limiting access to the material for at least five years.
Asefapi has expressed its opposition to the measure and has asked national and European authorities to reconsider the policy. The association calls on all affected sectors to express their concern about the rising costs and restriction in the supply of TiO2, which could have a lasting impact on the competitiveness and sustainability of the European market.
The industry expects management to listen to concerns and take action to mitigate the adverse effects of these new anti-dumping measures.
