Anti dumping investigation initiated into EU silicon by China
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has announced an anti-dumping and countervailing investigation into EU solar grade polysilicon
Following anti dumping and countervailing investigations into Chinese solar cell and panel manufacturing, initiated by both US and EU authorities, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has decided to immediately begin complaints that EU polysilicon makers imported product to Chinese manufacturers below cost of production and with state financial support.
The Minsitry stated it had received a formal complaint from Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development, Jiangxi LDK PV Silicon Technology, Luoyang Sino-silicon high-tech and Chongqing Daqo New Energy on behalf of the domestic polysilicon industry. The EU investigation will be merged with the already running US and Korean investigations into similar claims.
The decision to instigate an investigation into EU originated polysilicon for use in solar manufacturing is in stark contrast to recent comments from SolarWorld's European head of operations who was reported as saying there was no chance the Chinese would ever take such a step as they needed EU polysilicon to continue manufacturing. SolarWorld is the German based company that has initiated both the USA and EU investigations into Chinese solar manufacturers with claims of anti-dumping against the Chinese companies.
The recent announcements only further the political quagmire the international solar community finds itself in. With an industry goal of grid parity in the next few years such legal actions threaten to increase the price of solar products creating further uncertainty for a beleaguered industry that was already struggling to keep up with changing market dynamics and demand.
The Chinese government has promised a fair hearing on the subject but given the extraordinary sales and product movement in the solar industry the last few years it is likely that few major players would stand up under such close scrutiny. The industry will have to wait now for the legal procedures, decisions and inevitable appeals to run their course before the real impact of recent legal actions can be truly counted.