SHANGHAI, Apr 23 (SMM) – The commissioning dates for the desulphurisation and denitrification facilities at silicon plants have been set in Dehong, Baoshan, and Nujiang, three major producing areas in Yunnan province, SMM learned.

This followed the requirement by local authorities of the use of such facilities across silicon smelters in a bid to combat air pollution.   

In Dehong area, all silicon plants were required to submit the installation scheme to local environmental protection bureau before they start to operate this year. Plants can only apply for the formal use of the equipment after it gets the relevant qualifications including an environmental assessment. The specific installation time at each silicon plant was set by the local government and communicated to individual plants.

In Dehong, Baoshan, and Nujiang area, half of the local silicon plants will complete the installation by the end of 2018, and the rest will finish by the end of next year. Large smelting firms including Yongchang Silicon Industry and Great Union Silicon Industry will complete the installation within this year.

The one-off costs of such facilities for one submerged-arc furnace stood at around 4 million yuan, while that for two furnaces amounted to around 5 million yuan. Each local silicon producer owns one to three submerged-arc furnaces. The environmental protection tax would be cut for the producers once facilities are up and running.

We believe there is further costs to be incurred following the commissioning of the facilities. However, there is no relevant sample for reference in China as of yet.  

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