According to an announcement issued by the European Commission on November 18, 2021, the Commission decided to launch an anti-subsidy investigation on imports of certain graphite electrode systems originating in China, following a complaint lodged by Graphite Cova GmbH, Showa Denko Carbon Holding GmbH, and Tokai ErftCarbon GmbH on October 4, 2021.

The products involved are graphite electrodes used for electric furnaces, with an apparent density of 1.5 g/cm3 or more and an electrical resistance of 7.0 μ.Ω.m or less, whether or not equipped with nipples, under CN code ex 8545 11 00 (TARIC codes 8545 11 00 10 and 8545 11 00 15.

The investigation period of CVD and injury was from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, and the injury assessment period was from January 1, 2017 to the end of the investigation period.