Key facts
- The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has launched an anti-dumping investigation into US LLDPE imports.
- The probe was initiated following a complaint by Ineos Olefins & Polymers UK, the sole UK producer of LLDPE.
- The investigation will determine if US-origin LLDPE was sold in the UK at dumped prices, causing injury to the domestic industry.
- The dumping probe covers the 2025 calendar year, with injury assessment from 2022 to 2025.
- UK LLDPE imports from the US increased to 102,400t in 2025.
The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) from the United States. This action follows a complaint filed by Ineos Olefins & Polymers UK, the country's sole producer of the grade.
The investigation, which commenced on July 1, aims to assess Ineos' allegations that US-origin LLDPE has been sold in the UK at dumped prices, thereby causing injury to the domestic industry. Ineos stated that US export prices were lower than their normal value, and the resulting imports have negatively impacted the UK market through reduced sales, loss of market share, weaker prices, decreased profitability, withdrawn investment, and job losses.
The scope of the dumping probe covers the period from January 1 to December 31, 2025. The injury assessment, meanwhile, spans from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2025.
According to Global Trade Tracker data, the UK imported 102,400 tonnes of LLDPE from the US in 2025. This represents an increase from 81,100 tonnes in 2024 and 50,000 tonnes in 2023. LLDPE is a versatile plastic widely used in packaging films and other flexible plastic applications.
Interested parties have until July 16 to register for the investigation. The TRA plans to issue questionnaires on July 24, with responses due by August 24. Verification work is scheduled for September and October.
The TRA indicated that it may propose provisional measures between October and December if sufficient evidence of dumping and injury is found. Such measures could require importers to provide guarantees against potential anti-dumping duties.
The TRA anticipates publishing preliminary findings in February 2027 and making a final recommendation to the secretary of state for business and trade in June 2027.