New Delhi, Dec 17 (KNN) Indian government has imposed an anti-dumping duty on a Chinese chemical used in making detergents for five years to guard domestic players from cheap imports from China.

The duty has been imposed on detergent grade ‘Zeolite 4A’ on the recommendations of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the investigation arm of the Commerce Ministry, after conducting a probe in this regard.

Gujarat Credo Mineral Industries and Chemicals India had complained to DGTR, that the import of the cheap chemical is hurting the domestic industry.

After a probe, the DGTR said there was a “positive dumping margin” as well as material injury to the domestic industry caused by the dumped imports, and recommended imposition of definitive anti-dumping levy.

“The duty in the range of $163.90-207.72 per tonne of the chemical will remain in force for five years (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier)”, said the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in a notification.

Detergent-grade Zeolites are primarily water-softener compounds, used to remove calcium and magnesium ions from hard water. Soft water requires less soap for the same cleaning effort, as soap is not wasted mopping up calcium ions. It is mainly used as a builder in detergents.