The municipal government of Tangshan in China’s Hebei Province has announced that, due to anticipated increases in air pollution, it has decided to implement strict emergency response measures effective from 0:00 on July 21 to 24:00 on July 31.
In particular, sintering machines belonging to category A, including Shougang Qian’an Iron and Steel, Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel, Wenfeng Iron and Steel, Tangsteel Steel Plate Mill, Delong Iron and Steel, Zhongheng Iron and Steel, Tianzhu Iron and Steel, Huaxi Iron and Steel and Guoyi Special Steel will halt 20 percent of their capacities from July 21 to July 31.
Meanwhile, from July 21 to July 25 and from July 29 to July 31, steelmakers in Fengnan district, Guye district, Kaiping district, Lubei district, Luanzhou city, Luannan county and Qian’an city will halt 70 percent of their sintering capacities. From July 26 to July 28, all steelmakers’ sintering machines will halt production.
At the same time, category A coking plants are required to extend their coke carbonization period to at least 28 hours, while category B and C coking plants are required to extend their coke carbonization period to at least 36 hours, which will have the result of reducing coke output.
At the same time, enterprises engaged in mining and ore crushing shall cease production on July 26, 27 and 28.
During the period from 8:00 on July 22 to 20:00 on July 29, vehicles used for port collection and distribution will not be allowed to enter or leave the port area, and vehicles used in the iron and steel, coking, non-ferrous metals, power and chemical industries will not be allowed to enter or leave factory areas.