PET Europe withdraws PET antidumping complaint on Vietnam

Trade association PET Europe has withdrawn its antidumping complaint regarding imports of polyethylene terephthalate products from Vietnam, it said in a statement on May 15.

"The EU has opened 24 antidumping investigations into chemical products over the past two years, with at least 26 additional complaints reportedly awaiting investigation," PET Europe said. "PET Europe withdrew from the Vietnam case, as we are aware the Commission is considering a range of trade defense tools on unfair imports into the EU."

The complaint was filed April 9, 2025, by PET Europe on behalf of EU PET producers under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036. The European Commission opened an investigation into PET imports from Vietnam May 22, 2025. No provisional measures were imposed on Vietnam, with definitive measures expected by July 21, 2026.

However, PET Europe submitted a letter May 1, 2026, withdrawing its complaint. Under Article 9(1) of the Basic Regulation, the Commission may terminate an investigation following withdrawal unless continuation is warranted in the Union interest.

According to information shared with stakeholders by Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry was involved throughout the proceedings. A general disclosure document issued May 8, 2026, and seen by Platts, states that the European Commission is considering terminating the investigation and that, under EU regulations, stakeholders have 10 days to comment on the decision. However, until the investigation is officially terminated, the case remains open.

The European Commission did not respond to a request for comment at the time of writing.

This withdrawal follows a challenging period for the European PET market, marked by the war in the Middle East, during which Indorama announced two force majeures at its Polish and Lithuanian sites amid raw material, energy and supply chain disruptions across Europe. As a result, PET buyers across Europe have begun receiving import offers from Vietnam, and several buyers are now looking to book volumes for July arrivals.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, last assessed the three- to 30-day forward polyethylene terephthalate free-delivered Northwest Europe spot price at Eur1,600/metric ton May 13, stable week over week.