Philippines’s JG Summit filed for safeguard measures on import HDPE and LLDPE

In a public announcement from the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, it is reported that JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation (JGSPC) has filed an application for safeguard measures on the import of HDPE and LLDPE from various countries. 

The producer submitted a series of evidence claiming that the increase in import quantities for these grades seriously hurt the domestic industry in terms of decline in sales, production, utilization rates, incurred losses. Top exporting countries including Singapore, Thailand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea, Canada, and the USA.

The Ministry has recommended to initiate and conduct a preliminary investigation to rectify claims made by the local producer. 

JD Summit is expanding PE capacity by adding another 250,000 tons/year of both HDPE and LLDPE to the existing output, bring the total production to 570,000 tons/year. 

At the moment, import HDPE and LLDPE from non-ASEAN countries to the Philippines are facing 10% import duties, except for LLDPE originated from the Middle East that enjoys 3% import duties.