EU Opens Trade Safeguard Probe into PET Chemical Imports

The European Commission launched a safeguard investigation into imported PET resin chemicals.

This move directly affects supply chain professionals across the European Union, including Denmark.

The Commission initiated the official probe on November 6, 2026.

European manufacturers face severe hardship from surge risks and global overcapacity.

The investigation covers virgin PET, recycled PET, PET glycol, and upstream raw materials.

These upstream materials include terephthalic acid, mono-ethylene glycol, and purified isophthalic acid.

If imports cause serious injury, the Commission may propose official safeguard measures.

Safeguard measures require approval by a qualified majority of European Union member states.

The Commission may also impose provisional measures during the investigation.

If provisional rules apply, definitive measures must follow within 200 days.

The total investigation time takes nine to eleven months at most.

The European Union already levies anti-dumping duties on PET imports from China.

It also maintains anti-subsidy measures on PET imports from India.

Other anti-dumping measures affect terephthalic acid from Korea and mono-ethylene glycol from America.

This investigation follows trade discussions between European Union and Chinese trade officials.

The official announcement was published by the European Commission.