China: Shijiazhuang, Hebei province has started the demolition of its first batch of 18 cement plants on 17 December 2013 to fight air pollution. 74 cement plants in the suburbs of Shijiazhuang are targeted for deconstruction by March 2014 according to China Daily. The planned demolition is planned to include all the western areas of the city by 2017.

"The cement companies have been a major source of dust pollution, making them a priority for demolition," said Niu Yongzhi, the official from the Bureau of Industry and Information in Shijiazhuang who is in charge of the project.

Demolition of the first 18 cement plants will be completed in January 2014. Removal of these cement units is expected to significantly reduce dust and nitrogen oxides emissions. More than 3500 cement plant employees will lose their jobs in the demolition.

The government will pay compensation to the companies whose plants are being shut down. Seven plants in Pingshan county will receive an average of US$1.5m each and tax breaks will be given to the companies when they start other businesses. The other 11 cement plants in Luquan will receive similar compensation.

The 18 cement plants, scattered throughout the northwestern area of Shijiazhuang produce 9.4Mt/yr or about 21% of the city's annual output. By 2014 cement production capacity in Hebei will drop to 61Mt/yr, half of the province's cement production in 2012.