China: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had finalised details of an overall plan to reduce overcapacity in the cement industry according to Xin Renzhou, an official with the MIIT interviewed by an affiliate of the Xinhua News Agency.

Xin said that the plan would require higher standards for environmental controls including fuel efficiency measures. Cement plants failing to comply with the new requirements will be ordered to make changes or face losing market access. Jing Xiaobo, another official from the MIIT, added that the through the plan China also intends to reduce overcapacity mby expanding domestic demand, accelerating its decommissioning strategy and optimising organisational structures in cement producers.

In addition to joint efforts between the MITT and the NDRC, the China Banking Regulatory Commission and other related authorities will issue a series of supporting policies on curbing overcapacity, and adopting more commercial measures to strictly control the output capacity of major industries, such as the cement industry.