Modernization Plan for China’s Raw Materials Industry

by | 18. Dec 2024 - 11:08 | Politics

Standards and norms for upgrading the industry and enhancing sustainability.

China aims to upgrade and modernize its raw materials industry by 2027. This week, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the National Committee for Standardization Management released an action plan to be implemented by various industry sectors. The goal is to achieve a qualitative improvement.

Key areas of focus include the digitalization and environmental sustainability of industries. New standards for handling chemical and other waste are planned. Additionally, raw material extraction is set to become more environmentally friendly and efficient, including the mining of by-products. Many critical raw materials, such as indium, are primarily sourced from the material streams of zinc or lead production.

According to the action plan, more than 100 sustainability-related standards will be implemented by 2027.

In recent years and decades, China has already undergone extensive consolidation of its rare earth industry, from which Beijing expects further upgrades.

Photo: iStock/kokouu