The European Commission imposed countervailing duties at between 8% to 18% on imports of subsidized biodiesel from Indonesia on Monday (Dec 9), saying the move aimed to restore a level playing field for European Union (EU) producers.
The duties were based on the results of an EU investigation into claims by the European biodiesel industry which said the Indonesian government provided subsidies to companies such as PT Ciliandra Perkasa, PT Wilmar Bioenergi Indonesia, and PT Musim Mas, the Commission said.
In conclusion to a case that has lasted seven years, the duties, which normally remain in place for five years, was the same level as the provisional rates proposed by the EU in August. The EU biodiesel market is worth an estimated 9 billion euros (US$10 billion) a year, with imports from Indonesia worth about 400 million euros, the Commission noted.
