SeAH Besteel and SeAH Changwon Special Steel have filed an anti-dumping (AD) petition with South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy against special steel bars imported from China.

These bars are high-strength, lightweight materials used in critical components for major industries. The companies are concerned about the influx of low-priced Chinese products, which they claim is threatening the domestic special steel industry and its competitiveness.

According to the petition, imports of Chinese special steel bars surged by 50% from 450,000 tons in 2022 to 670,000 tons last year, accounting for 92% of total imports. This increase was accompanied by a 24% drop in import prices over two years.

SeAH Changwon Special Steel's operating profit fell sharply by 91% in the same period.

The companies hope this measure will protect South Korea's material sovereignty and industrial competitiveness.