New Delhi, Feb. 12 -- Solvent extractors in India have requested the central government to take steps to safeguard the interests of the domestic oleochemicals industry, citing a sharp rise in their imports.

In a memorandum to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, The Solvent Extractors' Association of India recommended that imports of finished products stearic acid, soap noodles, oleic acid and refined glycerine should be placed under the restricted items list or import duty on such finished products should be with an additional duty of 25 per cent over the imported raw material like refined palm stearin.

In another suggestion, they sought to allow duty-free imports of all required raw materials to oleochemical players having splitting,...