India's DGTR held a public hearing on 29 September concerning an anti-dumping investigation covering carbon black used in rubber applications from China, Russia, Iran, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand. Carbon black is a critical reinforcing material used in rubber compounds to improve strength, abrasion resistance and durability. Its importance extends well beyond tyres to conveyor belts, hoses, seals, gaskets, vibration-control products and other industrial rubber goods. The latest proceedings are consequently relevant to the wider non-tyre rubber manufacturing sector. Import prices and availability of different carbon-black grades can have a direct bearing on compound costs. The investigation also comes at a time when India's rubber industry is seeking greater supply-chain resilience and domestic availability of critical inputs. Manufacturers using specialised grades will particularly watch the proceedings because changes in import duties could affect sourcing patterns and formulation costs.