The European Union imposed new duties on plastics from the UAE, Iran and Pakistan, saying the three were illegally subsidising exports to Europe's growing soft-drinks market.
The decision means Polyethylene terephthalate from the UAE, Iran and Pakistan -- used for bottles and food packaging -- will face EU import duties of 44.02 euros, 139.70 euros, and 42.34 euros per tonne respectively until 2015.
"In view of the magnitude of the countervailable subsidies found and in the light of the level of the injury caused to the (European) Union's industry, it is considered necessary" to launch the new tariffs, the EU's executive Commission said in the EU's official journal.
The duties are valid for up to five years and reflect Europe's concern that EU industry is falling behind oil-rich states with competitive and booming plastics markets.
European citizens bought about 100 billion plastic bottles last year -- one in five bottles sold worldwide -- creating a 3 billion euro ($3.9 billion) market for the plastic.
Emirates 24|7
