SHANGHAI, May 23 (SMM) - With the ending of strict environmental protection checks, galvanizers in North China that had cut or ceased production in mid-April returned to production, SMM understands.

Tianjin Environmental Protection Bureau announced May 19 some large galvanizers are allowed to restart production.

Those that pass environmental impact assessment and have no noticeable environmental protection problems are allowed to restart immediately, while those that pass environmental impact assessment but have environmental protection and safety problems will be allowed to resume production after ratifications.

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Acid-related plants will be allowed to return to production as long as they are recognized by environmental protection bureau and industry and economic committee.

Those that haven’t effluent discharge facility will be allowed to get back to production if they deliver effluent to sewage plant by tank truck with approval of industry parks of villages and towns.

Enterprises involved in dispute will be handled based on decision of Bureau of Supervision of Tianjin.

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Galvanizers in Tianjin’s Daqiu Village began to restart production from May 16, SMM learned. 5 local medium and large galvanizers have restarted production. Operating rates at their production lines recovered to 2/3. The other 20 small ones remained closed since they failed to pass environmental assessment. Most galvanizers in Handan and Bazhou have already restarted.

Over 50% of galvanizers in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei passed environmental assessment with upgrading of environmental protection facility. Although large galvanizers maintained high production, most small galvanizers failed to pass environmental assessment and remained closed. Zinc utilization will thus be affected.

The average operating rate at Chinese galvanizers was 66.9% in April, down 25 percentage points on a yearly basis. The rate will rise to 68% in May after strict environmental protection checks in China, SMM predicts. 

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