Metal Information Center

Chinese silicon industry preparing to challenge anti-dumping duties in US and European Union

October 6, 2007 – 6:11 am

MONTE CARLO — The Chinese silicon metal industry will challenge anti-dumping duties imposed by the United States and the European Union, Chip Luo, assistant marketing manager of Jaco Metal Ltd.–a private Chinese silicon exporter based in Xiamen–told Metal Bulletin’s 19th International Ferro-Alloys Conference in Monte Carlo Tuesday.

Speaking about the rationalization and expansion of the Chinese silicon industry, Luo said that the industry intended to make a formal response to the duties.

“We will go through legal proceedings to claim our interest,” Luo said, although he did not indicate what the response might be or when the Chinese silicon industry would be in a position to act.

China, which produces about 40 percent of the world’s silicon, is the subject of anti-dumping measures imposed by the United States and the European Union. Chinese producers also face high import duties in Russia.

Luo said the Chinese silicon industry had been bedeviled by contractual non-performance and quality issues but was now seeking to improve its position in the global marketplace. A burgeoning domestic market, increasing capacity and improved electricity supply were contributing to the positive development of the Chinese silicon industry, he said, adding that foreign investment or joint ventures also would aid this process.