China may release energy consumption standards for nonferrous metals

Shanghai. August 9. INTERFAX-CHINA - The Chinese government is considering releasing energy consumption standards for nonferrous metals next month in an attempt to curb heavy energy consumption in the nonferrous metals sector, an industrial official told Interfax today.

Energy consumption standards will be set for the production of eight types of nonferrous metal, including copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesium, tin and antimony, as well as for two semi-finished products, namely aluminum alloy construction profile and copper tube, which all together consume more than 80 percent of the energy for the whole nonferrous metals industry, senior China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association official, Cao Baokui, said.

"The CNMIA recently drew up draft energy consumption standards for 10 nonferrous metal products. The National Development and Reform Commission will grant approval in September at the earliest, so the standard could come into effect as early as next year," Cao said.

Cao also commented that the central government is likely to shut down facilities, request technology upgrades or charge higher power prices to companies that do not meet the standards. However, "specific sanctions for companies that disregard the standards will not be released until later," he added.

Source:www.interfax.cn