On November 13, 2023, the European Commission, on behalf of the 27 EU member states, initiated an anti-dumping investigation on titanium dioxide originating in China (hereinafter referred to as the EU anti-dumping investigation), and required the submission of relevant materials for the response to the case to be completed before November 20, 2023.

After receiving the information on the EU anti-dumping investigation, the China Coatings Industry Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association) immediately discussed with the head of the Trade Coordination Office of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Petrochemical Federation), and consulted with relevant law firms on how to handle the case, and promptly organized 26 titanium dioxide manufacturers across the country to submit sample questionnaires and carry out industry non-injury defense response work.

On June 13, 2024, the European Commission announced the disclosure of facts before the preliminary ruling on the anti-dumping investigation of titanium dioxide against China. After the Association learned about the anti-dumping tariff rates that the responding companies would face, it immediately communicated with law firms and the Petrochemical Federation, and contacted leading companies at the same time, and reported the situation to relevant state ministries and commissions through the Petrochemical Federation. The law firm and the leading enterprises jointly analyzed, and the association organized an online meeting to discuss and seek countermeasures.

On July 11, 2024, the European Commission announced the preliminary ruling document on the anti-dumping investigation of titanium dioxide against China, and calculated the anti-dumping tariff rate according to the dumping margin: Longbai Group 39.7%, Anhui Jinxing Titanium Dioxide Group 14.4%, other responding enterprises 35%, and other non-responding enterprises 39.7%. The tax rate is far higher than expected. If implemented at this rate, it will seriously affect the export of Chinese titanium dioxide enterprises and the future development of the industry. The association also communicated with law firms and the Petrochemical Federation at the first time, and kept a close eye on it, kept abreast of the relevant situation, organized law firms and enterprises to make detailed analysis, put forward defense opinions, and actively reported the situation to relevant state ministries and commissions to assist enterprises in filing complaints.