Anti-dumping investigation into imports of Virgin Multi-layer Paperboard from Indonesia.

F. No. 06/20/2025 -DGTR Government of India Department of Commerce Ministry of Commerce & Industry
(Directorate General of Trade Remedies) 4th Floor, Jeevan Tara Building 5,
Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110001

Dated: 02.09.2025 To,

All interested parties

Subject: Anti-Dumping investigation concerning imports of Virgin Multi-Layer

Paperboards from Indonesia.

This has reference to the initiation notification no. 6/20/2025-DGTR dated 30th June 2025. Through notice of initiation, the interested parties were directed to provide their comments or suggestions, if any, on the scope of product under consideration and the PCN methodology within prescribed time limits.

Pursuant to the same, the domestic industry and the other interested parties submitted detailed submissions on the scope of the product under consideration and PCN methodology. The Authority has examined the comments made by the domestic industry and the other interested parties.

It is clarified that the scope of this decision is limited to defining the scope of the product under consideration for which the present investigation is being conducted, outlining the request for exclusions. This does not preclude interested parties from providing relevant information and evidence to substantiate their requests for exclusion of any particular products. The Authority shall decide the scope of the product under consideration for any measures recommended, after considering relevant information and evidence furnished by all interested parties, and after providing all parties with an opportunity of being heard.

The other interested parties sought clarification on the treatment of virgin multi-layer paperboard made of recycled pulp. It has been submitted that the product scope defined does not clarify whether paperboards made of recycled pulp and paperboards made of a combination of recycled and virgin pulp are including in the scope of the product under consideration. In this regard, the domestic industry has submitted that the proposed product under consideration is made of 100% white / virgin wood pulp only. Thus, it is clarified that the scope of the product under consideration includes

multi-layer paperboard made of virgin pulp only.

In addition, the other interested parties have requested exclusion of Liquid Packaging Board (LPB) and Solid Bleached Sulfate Board (SBS) on the ground that LPB and SBS are separate products which have not been produced and exported from the subject country. The domestic industry has submitted that they are supplying like article to these product types. Further, it has been submitted that the products for which exclusion have been sought have the same basic general characteristics and can be manufactured on the same plant and machinery. It has been claimed that LPB and SBS are not separate products, but different types of virgin multi-layer paperboards. It is noted that the different types of paperboards constitute one product under consideration, in the sense that these demonstrate comparable essential product characteristics including physical, production technology, manufacturing process, plant & equipment, functions & usage, etc. The difference in types are as a result of different end-user requirements. Further, it has not been disputed that the domestic industry has produced and sold the LPB and SBS in the domestic market. It may be noted that it is the settled practice of the Authority to exclude the product types only when the same are imported into India and like article is not offered by the domestic industry. Thus, exclusion of LPB and SBS has not been considered relevant at the present stage.

Based on the submissions received by interested parties, the scope of the product under consideration for the purpose of present investigation is thus considered as below

“The product under consideration is multi-layer board made only of white / virgin wood pulp, whether coated or uncoated, and is also known as Virgin Multi-Layer Paperboard. The product under consideration is made up of multiple layers of paper bonded together. The product under consideration is made of pulp from fibre of trees. The product under consideration comes in various grades. The product under consideration includes Folding Box Board (FBB), Solid Bleached Sulfate Board (SBS), Cup Stock Paper or Board and Liquid Packaging Board, all in the range of 140 to 450 GSM. Coated/uncoated cigarette boards and paperboards made out of recycled/brown pulp or fibre are excluded from the scope of the product under consideration. Paperboards manufactured using recycled pulp or a combination of recycled pulp and virgin pulp, regardless of the proportion, are excluded from the scope of the product under consideration.”

The domestic industry has requested PCNs based on product types, that is, Solid Bleached Sulphate Board, Two-side coated boards / artboards, Folding Box Boards,

Cup Stock and Liquid Packaging Board. It is noted that the PCN methodology proposed by the domestic industry is in line with the PCN methodology notified in the ongoing anti-dumping investigation into imports of Virgin Multi-Layer Paperboards imported from Chile and China PR [F. No. 6/28/2024-DGTR]. The other interested parties have not made any comments with regard to PCNs proposed. Hence, PCN methodology being considered for the purpose of the subject investigation is as follows-

SN Product Type Code 1 Solid Bleached Sulfate Board SBS 2 Two-side coated boards / Artboard ATB 3 Folding Box Board FBB 4 Cup Stock CUS 5 Liquid Packaging Board LPB 6 Others OTH

In view of the above, all interested parties are requested to file their questionnaire responses for the scope of the product under consideration set out above and in accordance with the above mentioned PCN-methodology latest by 15.09.2025.

No further extension of time will be granted by the Authority to file the questionnaire responses, as anti-dumping investigation is time-bound.

This issues with the approval of the Designated Authority.

Sd/- Rajiv Kumar Soni Director (FT) Email: jd12-dgtr@gov.in
Ph: 011-23408728 Rajiv Kuma r Soni Digitally signed by Rajiv Kumar Soni Date: 2025.09.02 10:15:48 +05'30'