BIELEFELD, GERMANY - German laminate flooring manufacturers are being targeted in an antidumping investigation initiated by the Turkish Ministry of Economy.

The European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) called the Dec. 18 announcement of the probe "a displeasing Christmas surprise for the German producers of laminate flooring."

The EPLF, acting on behalf of its German members, has asked the Turkish Ministry of Economy to extend its Jan. 24 deadline for German laminate flooring manufacturers to complete an extensive questionnaire and furnish relevant evidence. The EPLF noted that because German producers are closed between Christmas and Jan. 6, they will need more time to adequately respond. The EPLF has also reached out to Karel De Gucht and the German Ministry of Economy.

Of the 21 member companies of the EPLF, nine are based in Germany and three are based in Turkey.

Peter Meyer, managing director of the EPLF, said, "In the interest of a free flow of trade inside Europe we will do everything possible in the legal framework to prevent the emerging of new, non-adequate trade barriers, even with Turkey (not yet) being a member of the European Union. Simultaneously we have to keep in mind the interests of our Turkish members and the increasing importance of Turkey as a sales market. We hope that no objective evidence of price dumping will become evident.”

In the United States, an antidumping investigation of multi-layered wood flooring from China remains under investigation.

A contentious antidumping probe of Chinese hardwood plywood concluded Nov. 5 with the U.S. International Trade Commission ruling that Hardwood plywood imported from China does not injure the U.S. industry and will not be subjected to antidumping duties.