SHANGHAI, Sep 21 (SMM) – Jiangsu Yonggang Group plans to shut five blast furnaces from October 20 as government authorities have required it to cut pollutant emissions by half to help improve air quality during the China International Import Expo (CIIE), SMM learned.

This, likely to sustain for about 40 days, is expected to impact production at the mill by some 30%.

SMM also learned that another steelmaker in Jiangsu, Huaxi, has been ordered to curtail capacity by 30%. Nanjing Steel and Xuzhou Dongnan Steel have yet to receive any similar notice.

It is widely expected that this round of production curbs would extend across the province.

The CIIE would also impact operation across construction sites in Shanghai. Government authorities have ordered all construction sites across Shanghai to cease operation during October 23- November 12.