BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese importers of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) had to pay anti-dumping deposits as of Aug. 9 to offset damages caused by MEK producers in Japan, Taiwan and Singapore.

    The move follows a preliminary ruling made by the Ministry of Commerce, saying MEK exports from Japan, Taiwan and Singapore have inflicted losses to local manufacturers.

    The cash deposits are charged by China's customs authorities in accordance with the dumping margins (DM) of different producers, which range from 9.6 percent to 66.45 percent.

    China launched the anti-dumping investigation on November 22, 2006.

    MEK is a flammable solvent that has many industrial uses, mainly in the oil refining, dye and synthetic leather industry.

    China's is expected to consume 240,000 tons of MEK next year, half of which will be imported, according to the China Engineering Consulting Association.