India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated an antidumping investigation into imports of aluminum extrusion profiles, structures, and related articles from China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

The DGTR found sufficient preliminary evidence of dumping, material injury to domestic manufacturers, and a causal link between the two to initiate the investigation.

The investigation is significant for the domestic solar module mounting structure sector, which relies on aluminum imports. Aluminum extrusions are used in solar trackers, racking, and mounting structures.

The investigation follows representations from the Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI), representing 228 domestic manufacturers, alleging injury from a significant increase in dumped imports.

DGTR said that the four countries accounted for approximately 90% of India’s total imports of the products under investigation.

The investigation covers imports during April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, while the injury assessment will also examine the financial years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.

The DGTR noted that antidumping duties are already in force on imports of anodized aluminum frames for solar modules from China under a September 2024 notification.

Background

ALEMAI submitted that most of its members are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Nine member manufacturers sought the imposition of antidumping duties, while three others provided cost information and estimates of dumping and injury margins.

Based on these submissions and import data, the DGTR found prima facie evidence of dumping, with estimated dumping margins exceeding the de minimis threshold.

ALEMAI told DGTR that the aluminum extrusion profiles, bars, rods, tubes, structures, and related articles are variants of a single product, as they are manufactured from aluminum billets using the same extrusion process.

The DGTR noted that increased imports were undercutting domestic prices, leading to declining profitability, losses, lower cash profits, reduced returns on capital employed, and underutilization of production capacity.

In October 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed antidumping duties and countervailing duties on aluminum extrusions imported from 14 countries, including India. However, the duties were withdrawn a month later after the U.S. International Trade Commission overruled the Department of Commerce’s decision and stated that the imports do not materially harm or threaten the U.S. industry.