The European Commission has initiated provisional anti-dumping duties on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin imports originating from South Korea and Taiwan, following conclusive findings of injurious price undercutting that have harmed the EU plastics industry.
Duty levels vary by exporter: South Korea’s LG Chem faces a duty of 3.7%, Lotte Chemical is subject to 5.8%, while other cooperating South Korean producers, including Kumho Petrochemical and INEOS Styrolution Korea, are subject to 4.3%, with all other companies from South Korea subject to 5.8%. Taiwanese suppliers fare less favorably; Chimei Corporation and Grand Pacific Petrochemical are hit with 10.8%, while Formosa Chemicals & Fibre and all other companies from Taiwan face the highest duty of 21.7%.
The measures apply to ABS products classified under CN Code 3903 30 00 and took effect immediately upon publication in the EU’s Official Journal. They follow an investigation prompted by formal complaints from EU producers, who pointed to persistent dumping practices that have severely undercut domestic pricing and caused material injury. The provisional duties will remain in place pending further investigatory processes and a conclusive ruling later in 2025.
Analysts expect the new duties to realign global ABS trade dynamics. With EU import channels constrained, affected exporters are likely to redirect volumes toward Asia and the Middle East, regions already contending with ample supply. The rerouted flows may exert downward pressure on spot prices in key consumption markets such as India and Southeast Asia.
This strategic move by the EU underscores its commitment to protecting domestic industry from unfair trade practices and may prompt exporters to reassess supply chain routes and pricing strategies.
