China to Introduce Clean Production Index in the Steel Industry

According to the National Development and Reform Commission, China will introduce the clean production index system among 45 domestic industries including steel, which will act as an entry threshold into and one of the bidding conditions of government procurement from these sectors. In addition, enterprises engaging in the research and marketing of clean production technologies will receive taxation and financial support from the government.

The new system advocates the frugal, intensive use of energy along the production chain from design, to manufacturing, and to consumption and recycling, as well as curbing the amount of pollutants.

While China's GDP accounted for 8.5 percent of the world's total last year, its consumption of crude steel, coal and cement constituted 43 percent, 45 percent and 52 percent respectively. Levels of per unit energy consumption in China were 47 percent higher than the world advanced level, and its energy intensity was 10 percent below world average.