The European Commission has, as of 16 September, imposed steep tariffs on imports of Chinese-made fiberglass, a key material used in clean energy technologies.
Glass Fibre Europe, which represents su…
The European Commission has, as of 16 September, imposed steep tariffs on imports of Chinese-made fiberglass, a key material used in clean energy technologies. Glass Fibre Europe, which represents subsidiaries of PPG Industries Inc. (PPG), Owens Corning (OC) and others, requested the tariffs, arguing that Chinese fiberglass producers are selling their product in Europe at artificially – and unfairly – low prices. China is the main target of these complaints by producers in the European Union and the US in a wide range of industries. The announced tariffs – 43.6% – will last for several months while the EU Commission decides whether duties lasting five years are warranted. A majority of ministers from the 27 EU governments must agree for long-term duties to take effect. The type of fiberglass under discussion is crucial for strengthening composite plastics, which are used more and more to build everything from cars to the long blades of a wind turbine.