CG Ramakrishnan, CEO of TechNova, said, “We are extremely surprised by the final findings released by the DGAD regarding our petition for continuation of ADD on imports of digital offset printing plates from China. This is a huge setback to the domestic manufacturers of plates and also to the Make in India initiative of Prime Minister Modi.”

In March 2012, the DGAD had imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of digital offset printing plates originating in or exported from China PR, which was continued through Central Government notification in June 2017, while hearing the sunset review petition filed by TechNova for the continuation of the ADD.

TechNova had contended that the continuation of the ADD was necessary to safeguard the injury caused to the domestic industry as a result of dumping of digital plates into the country from China PR.

The term ‘dumping’ in global trade treaties is explained as, a practice of selling goods by an exporting country in a foreign market at an unfair price, eventually driving out local competitors out of business.

According to a statement in the DGAD Final Findings Report, “Historical evidence shows that dumping from China has led to the closure of plants worldwide. Based on market intelligence, it would be seen that there were over 100 printing plate producers a decade ago across the globe and China had none. In last 10 years, the aggressive dumping supported by non-market practices of the Chinese government, the plate manufacturers worldwide have reduced to less than 10, whereas China has seen a drastic growth in plate producers. Today, the Chinese capacity stands at approximately 525 million sqm accounting for almost 70% of the global capacity as opposed to a meagre share in world market a decade ago.”

Ramakrishnan said, “During the rigorous, year-long investigation carried out by the DGAD, sufficient evidence was provided of mis-declaration, circumvention, and dumping of digital plates from China.”

He added, “This was confirmed in both the preliminary findings and the disclosure statement issued by the DGAD.However, this position has been reversed in the final findings.”

TechNova has been a partner with and served the Indian print industry for close to five decades. “Despite this challenging situation, we will do whatever it takes to survive and to continue serving our customers,” said Ramakrishnan.

He concluded, “TechNova is very grateful and appreciative of the full customer support received for the ADD petition. In fact, it is one of the rare cases where the user industry supported an ADD petition because Indian printers want the domestic industry to continue.”