China Sets Control Standards for Paper Ind.

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC, en.ndrc.gov.cn) recently issued policies that propose moderate controls for the development of the paper-making industry, according to a report by Industrial Info Resources (www.industrialinfo.com), citing a statement on the NDRC”s Web site.

The NRDC says China will control the construction of paper, as well as clipboard projects, moderately. Along with the elimination of 6.5 million metric tons of backward-production capacity, the total valid production capacity will reach 90 million metric tons in 2010.

According to the NDRC, paper-making enterprises will be required to enhance technical innovation and actively develop advanced processes, technology, equipment, and products with independent intellectual property rights. A batch of leading equipment manufacturers will be cultivated to improve the country”s capability in research and development, as well as for the design and manufacture level in slurrying and paper-making equipment. Paper-making enterprises will be required to change their growth mode and enhance their consciousness on trade and social responsibility, notes the statement on the NRDC Web site.

In 2010, the NRDC says the average water consumption in the paper-making industry will need to be reduced from 103 cubic meters in 2005 to 80 cubic meters per ton; the comprehensive energy consumption (standard coal) will need to be reduced from 1.38 tons to 1.10 tons; and the total emission of CO2 will need to be reduced from 1.6 million tons to 1.4 million tons.

Currently, there are 3,600 paper-making enterprises with a total production capacity of about 70 million tons in China, according to Industrial Info Resources. The annual output of paper and clipboard is 56 million tons, and the consumption was 59.3 million tons in 2005. Both the output and consumption are ranked second in the world. During the 11th five-year plan (2006-10), the average annual paper and clipboard consumption is expected to increase 7.5 percent. In 2010, paper and clipboard consumption in China will be increased to about 85 million tons, and the consumption per capita will be increased from 45 kilograms in 2005 to 62 kilograms, surpassing the average consumption per capita in the world at present.