China Issues New Standards for Viscose Industry

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) recently issued Standards for the Viscose Industry (2017 Edition) and Interim Measures for Administration of the Announcement of Standards for the Viscose Industry, both effective September 1.
Pollutant replacement will apply (i.e. emissions of major pollutants must be equivalent to or less than pollutant decrements, via elimination of outdated facilities), when kicking off new viscose projects in regions where ecological impacts from existing petrochemical activities approach or exceed the local environment’s carrying capacity.
Clean production and efficient use of resources are recommended for reconstruction and expansion projects, a combined capacity of which will include over 10 000 t/a of continuous spinning viscose filament yarn and over 80 000 t/a of viscose staple fiber (with product differentiation rate exceeding 30%). Further, viscose firms are encouraged to decommission outdated facilities and conduct M&As to improve overall competitiveness.
To research new techniques and products, viscose firms are allowed to establish a production line for lab or pilot tests, but its capacity must stay below 5 000 t/a and the product differentiation rate must exceed 90%.
MIIT will announce viscose firms that conform to industry standards every two years, as detailed in the interim measures.