SHANGHAI, Aug 23 (SMM) – The city government of Anyang, Henan province, ordered polluting sources across the city to cut production from August 22-31, in a bid to improve the city's standing in an air quality ranking across the province, SMM learned.

Anyang and another two cities ranked the bottom three in a July air quality ranking across the province.

Anyang Iron & Steel Group was required to suspend its one sintering machine and halt operation of its three converters of 35 mt from 23:00-7:00 CST every day during that period. The company has three sintering machines of 500m³, 400m³ and 360m³ .

All sintering machines at Anyang Xinpu Iron & Steel, Shagang Group Anyang Yongxing Steel, Henan Yaxin Steel Group, Anyang Yuhe Yongtong Pellet, Anyang Huacheng Bosheng Steel, Henan Fengbao Special Steel, Linzhou Heavy Machinery, Lingang Steel and Linzhou Hexin Casting were required to cease operation from 23:00-7:00 CST each day during that period. All converters across those mills were required to cease from 23:00-6:00 CST each day. Authorities also ordered those mills to cut blast furnace capacity but did not specify the extent of these cuts. 

Shagang Group Anyang Yongxing Steel said that it would cut production by over 30%. This is likely to tighten its supplies.

Some mills told SMM that they did not mind the suspensions as widespread curbs on sintering production have driven up prices of sintered materials.

SMM expects supplies of steel to tighten as most mills in Anyang begin to implement requirements.

A steel mill told SMM that it received unofficial notice that the city plans to begin winter production cuts from September.

Anyang is one of the six key cities targeted by 2018-2019 winter production cuts across the smog-prone Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and nearby areas.