China’s Hebei province reduced steel production capacity by 47.58mn mt from 2018 to July 2020, while Shandong province cut production capacity by 23.11mn mt. Steel plants that fail to adhere to strict emission guidelines will be eliminated by the end of the year.
According to Hebei’s provincial environmental authority, the move has reduced particulate pollution (PM2.5) levels in the province by 13pc and has reduced the levels of PM10, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide in the Jan-July period. Most steelmakers in the province will achieve ultra-low emission standards by the end of October and defaulters operating industrial furnaces with unstable or no emission treatment facilities will be eliminated by the end of 2020, said a top official.
In Shandong, 23.11mn mt old and polluting crude steel production capacity was eliminated ahead of the launch of Rizhao Fine Steel base project. Shandong province’s coastal city Rizhao is at the centre of its steel industry transformation and upgrade project. By 2025, the annual steel production capacity of Rizhao will be expanded to 40mn mt. The steel enterprises that will eliminated or reduced capacity include Jinan Iron and Steel, Laibi Steel, Caigang Special Steel, Laiwu Steel, Shandong Minyuan Iron and Steel, Qingdao Iron and Steel, Zibo Hongda Iron and Steel, Shandong Yanshun, Hetai Iron and Steel and Shandong Guangfu Group, which will withdraw 10mn mt by 2022.