Birla Opus files antitrust complaint against Asian Paints

Mumbai Mumbai: Aditya Birla Group’s paint venture – Birla Opus – has reportedly filed an antitrust complaint against market leader Asian Paints, alleging abuse of market dominance. The company claims that Asian Paints is forcing paint retailers not to stock Birla Opus products.

According to Reuters, the confidential complaint submitted by Birla Opus to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has been under review in recent weeks. The CCI is yet to decide whether the complaint has merit and needs a broader probe by its investigation unit or should be dismissed. Birla Opus has also alleged that Asian Paints has warned dealers that it will restrict their credit facilities if they stock the rival’s products. According to Birla’s complaint, Asian Paints has also allegedly told its dealers that it will reduce its supply to them if they put up hoardings of Birla Paint products or place them in prominent places.

Reuters reports that Asian Paints has told the CCI in a confidential letter that the company should be allowed fair comment before any decision is taken. “The rapid and substantial growth of Birla Opus has demonstrated that there are no significant barriers to entry or anti-competitive conduct by existing players,” Asian Paints’ letter to the CCI said. Asian Paints has a 52% share in India’s decorative paints market. However, Birla Opus has been facing difficulties ever since its launch in February 2024. In less than a year of its launch, Birla Opus garnered about 7% market share by March 2025, according to Elara Capital.