China: The Ministry of Environment and Ecology has enacted new requirements for ultra-low emissions clinker production in the Chinese cement industry. OPIS News Alerts has reported that 50% of clinker production capacity (850Mt/yr) must conform with the standard by 2025, rising to 80% by 2028. The standard encompasses the whole value chain, from raw materials production to transport of the finished product. The ministry expects the regulations, together with similar ones for the coking sector, to reduce domestic CO₂ emissions by 10Mt/yr. In the cement sector, the new requirements will intersect with upcoming emissions trading scheme (ETS), which is expected to come online by 2025.

The Ministry of Environment and Ecology said “Oversupply and a persistent demand lull has resulted in declining profit and lower operating rates for the cement industry in China for the past three years. Setting up low emission standards and providing policy incentives for production with higher efficiency and lower environmental impact will help promote green transformation within the industry, while driving out inefficient capacities.”