The Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday launched an anti-dumping investigation into cellulose pulp imported from the United States, Canada and Brazil, according to a statement published on the ministry's website.

The investigation was launched following complaints in December 2012 from seven domestic companies, including Fujian Qingshan Paper Industry Co Ltd and Yibin Changyi Pulp Co Ltd.

The product involved in the investigation, also called dissolving pulp or dissolving wood pulp, is a bleached wood pulp produced chemically from pulpwood and used in the production of regenerated cellulose.

The investigation is expected to be concluded within a year, but may also be extended to August 2014.