Foreign paper makers did not dump product

Korea has cleared antidumping charges against linerboard paper manufacturers from the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
The Commerce Ministry said yesterday it has concluded its investigation, as a preliminary review showed that “virtually no damage has been inflicted” upon local paper companies.
It began the probe in January after complaints were raised by Asia Paper Mfg. Co. and Asia Papertec Co. late last year.
“The market share of foreign products is minimal and the domestic [paper] industry is showing signs of improvement,” the ministry said. Linerboard, mostly used to cover the surfaces of cardboard boxes, is made from pulp and recycled paper.
In 2005, sales of linerboard totaled 410 billion won ($479 million) in the Korean market, with imports from the U.S., Canada and New Zealand accounting for 48 billion won.
Meanwhile, the ministry said it will begin a probe into two Chinese chemical companies for allegedly cutting prices of their benzoyl peroxide products.