[China] Zibo Aims For Refractory Industry Reform

Environmental efforts on the part of local authorities have led to the closure of 85 highly-polluting factories in the city of Zibo, as the industry is pushed to transition to cleaner energy sources. The aim of the governmental initiative is to boost production of high-value materials while, at the same time, keeping a close eye on companies' tax payments and environmental practices. Zibo's municipal government, in China's Shandong Province, announced a plan to upgrade the refractory industry in its Zhoucun district by reducing capacity and steering existing production towards high-end and added-value materials. Zibo will establish a high-end refractory industrial park in Wangcun town, with an annual capacity of up to 3000,000/tonnes.