On June 29th, 2026, the publication of SECEX Ordinance nº 48/2026, initiated an anti-dumping investigation on Brazilian imports of lactic acid and its salts originating from China. The product is usually classified under subheading 2918.11.00 of the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM).

The opening of the investigation was motivated by a petition filed on October 29th, 2025, by Corbion Produtos Renováveis Ltda. After a preliminary analysis, the Foreign Trade Secretariat (SECEX), through the Department of Trade Remedies (DECOM), found sufficient evidence of dumping, injury to the domestic industry, and a causal link between them.

The main information regarding the investigation is summarized below:

  • Petitioner: Corbion Produtos Renováveis Ltda.
  • Origin: China

  • Period of investigation:

Dumping: July 2024 to June 2025; and

Injury: July 2020 to June 2025.

  • Product under investigation:

Classification: usually classified under subheading 11.00 of the NCM; and

Description: lactic acid and its salts (lactates), excluding esters, other salts than those of lactic acid, and polylactic acid (PLA).

  • Dumping margins for initiation purposes, based on the normal value in a surrogate country (Netherlands) and the export price:

China:

Absolute dumping margin: US$ 13/kg; and

Relative dumping margin: 213%.

The participation of interested parties — including domestic producers, importers, exporters and governments of the country under investigation — must necessarily be carried out through petitions in the Electronic Information System (SEI) of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC).

Questionnaires will be sent to the identified interested parties, who will have 30 days from the date of the notification to send their responses. Parties not initially identified at the beginning of the proceeding, but whoever considers themselves interested, may request to be admitted to the case by July 20th, 2026.

During the investigation, provisional antidumping measures may be applied if sufficient evidence of unfair trade practices is found and if it is understood that such measures are necessary to prevent injury to the domestic industry during the investigation.

The investigation must be completed within 10 months, extendable for up to 8 additional months. If the initial claims are confirmed, definitive antidumping measures may be applied for a period of up to 5 years.