Tianjin to limit steel capacity to 20 million mt in 2018

SHANGHAI, Jun 19 (SMM) –  To curb air pollution and improve air quality, the government of Tianjin in north China will keep steel capacity in the city under 20 million mt in 2018, SMM learned from the government’s 2018 plan issued on May 30.

By the end of August, a plan to optimise the steel industrial structure will be devised. The plan will focus on improving the centralisation of industrial distribution, reducing capacity, optimising products and upgrading facility management systems.

Some 35 industrial parks will be integrated and 10 industrial parks will be shut. About 49 national or municipal industrial parks will be kept at status quo.

During the heating season, key sectors will be required to stagger production. The plan also requires bulk commodities in the steel, cement, coke and thermal power sectors to be transported at off-peak hours. Transport of deliveries leaving or arriving at Tianjin port will be controlled, following the alert of heavy pollution.