Thursday, 2 July 2026
The European Commission has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of certain polyether polyols from China, opening a process that could result in the introduction of anti-dumping duties on affected products entering the European Union.
The investigation, announced on 30 June 2026, will examine whether Chinese exporters have been selling polyether polyols in the EU at unfairly low prices and whether those imports have caused injury to European producers.
The products under investigation include a range of polyether polyols used primarily in the manufacture of polyurethane foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers. The scope covers pure polyether polyols, blends containing polymer particles and formulated products that include additives or catalysts. Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are excluded from the investigation.
If the European Commission concludes that dumping has occurred and that it has harmed the EU industry, anti-dumping duties could be imposed on future imports from China.
The investigation is expected to attract close attention from manufacturers across sectors including furniture, automotive, construction and insulation, where polyether polyols are widely used as key raw materials.
Importers, exporters, producers and industrial users have the opportunity to participate in the investigation by submitting evidence and comments. However, the Commission has set relatively short procedural deadlines, with some submissions required within as little as seven days from the publication of the notice.
The case forms part of the EU’s broader trade defence framework, under which the Commission investigates allegations of unfair pricing practices and may introduce protective measures where evidence supports claims of material injury to European industry.
Source: CMS
