Décor paper producers welcome anti-dumping investigation

Koehler Paper and other European décor paper producers have welcomed the European Commission’s decision to launch an anti-dumping investigation into the imports of décor paper from China.

Décor paper is a type of specialty paper used to create quality finishes on wood materials such as laminate flooring, kitchen worktops, and so on. These special papers are impregnated and pressed with thermosetting resins either in printed form or uni-coloured and the end products can have long lifespans of up to 20 years.

Initiated on June 14^th, the investigation is the result of a joint complaint lodged by Koehler Paper and three other major European décor paper producers.

The complaint highlighted the detrimental impact of distortions in the Chinese economy, which, Koehler says, enables Chinese manufacturers to “flood the EU market” with unfairly priced décor paper.

Instead, the complaint calls for “the prevention of further material harm to the European décor paper industry” and “fair and healthy competition for the European market”.

As a result, the letter underlines the “urgent necessity of anti-dumping duties to restore a level playing field for all industry players”.

According to Koehler, the European décor paper industry represents an estimated production of 390,000 tonnes each year, with manufacturers in seven Member States. Therefore, the company highlights the thousands of jobs provided by the industry across Europe as well as local employment for manual workers in rural areas.

Kai Furler, chief executive officer of the Koehler Group, says: “Our top priority is to ensure fair competitive conditions and to prevent the EU market to be flooded with unfairly priced décor paper.”

Koehler Paper says it will continue to collaborate closely with the European Commission and believes that the investigation will serve as “an essential means to ensure a fair and competitive trade environment for the décor paper industry in Europe”.