CCI to probe Asian Paints over alleged abuse of market dominance. Details here
India’s antitröst regulator, Indian Competition Commission (CCI), according to the official order published on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, decided to initiate an investigation into the claim that the largest decorative paint market position was abused on Asian Paints Ltd.
The investigation into the paint manufacturer was ordered after Grasim Industries Ltd complained of reference against Asian paints at the beginning of this month. Grasim Industries recently entered the Indian Paints Market with its new brand Birla Opus.
After the preliminary examination, CCI claimed that he had used unfair conditions to Asia Paints’ dealers from selling competitive products such as Birla Opus.
Asian paints are claimed to be limited to basic raw material suppliers and provide goods and services to competitors, and seems to be Prima Facie, creating obstacles for new participants in the sector.
The CCI order claimed that Grasim Industries abuse the market position by offering additional discounts or foreign travel to sellers in exchange for sales exclusivity of Asia Paints.
On June 20, the CCI, Asia Paints and Aditya Birla through the portal, the queries sent to the group by e -mail remained unanswered during publishing.
DG for CCI research
After the first examination, CCI appointed the General Manager (DG) to investigate Asia Paints’ case and claims and applied a 90 -day timeline to submit a final report.
“Nothing specified in the case of the case will not be equivalent to the final opinion of the case, and the DG will conduct an investigation without shaking any way,” Antitröst Regulator said.
During the investigation, CCI officials will ask the company about the relevant documents and visit the facilities and present their reports to the commission, aware of the development of the development, Mint.
However, since CCI no longer offers two solutions to avoid it, it does not need to lead to long -term disputes – a deal to abandon the investigation if the company facing the investigation is committed to change its harmful practices; Or, if the probe approves the wrong, a compromise option after paying a amount determined by the regulator.
India’s paint market
The Indian Paint Market has witnessed intense competition since the entrance of Opus with the company Birla Birla Birla. LaSince its full operations were launched in 2024, it has been 10,000 Crore in revenues in the next three years.
According to private market research data, the Paint and Coats market in India had a valuation of $ 14.41 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $ 32.71 billion at the end of 2032.
In 2020, JSW Paints, who just entered the decorative paints market, filed a complaint similar to Asian paints for alleged abuse of market domination.
JSW Paints argued that the market leader had reduced a few credit limits and layers of his dealers after starting to work with JSW Paints. After a two -year probe on Asian paints, CCI could not find evidence that it was wrong.
Later, JSW Paints also challenged the CCI order at a appeal court, but also supported the authority CCI’s decision.
