Are plants in the petrochemical industry considered old if they are over 20 years old? !

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Is a device considered old after more than 20 years? A wave of thorough inspections and upgrades for old equipment in the petrochemical industry is sweeping across the country, with the criteria for defining such old facilities also being tightened gradually. Previously, it was generally believed in the industry that a piece of equipment had to be in operation for 30 years to be considered obsolete. However, the latest policy trends indicate that production facilities whose main equipment has reached its design lifespan or has been in actual use for over 20 years may now be classified as “obsolete equipment”. On July 15, Hunan Province carried out a comprehensive assessment of the old facilities in its petrochemical industry, in accordance with the \"Notice on Conducting an Assessment of Old Facilities in the Petrochemical Industry\" issued by the State Council and other authorities. Its core task is very clear: to identify, as of May 30, 2025, production facilities within the petrochemical industry whose main equipment and installations have reached their designed service life, or have been in operation for over 20 years. Submit a summary by August 30**. This is not simply “counting heads.” Hunan will organize a \"four-dimensional comprehensive health check\": the emergency management department will take the lead in conducting \"safety assessments\", focusing on identifying risks related to the \"two key areas and one major risk\" as well as external safety distances ； The industry and information technology department checks whether the \"phased-out\" processes and energy consumption limits are met ； Environmental protection departments monitor environmental protection distances and compliance with discharge regulations ； The development and reform department measures whether energy efficiency meets the benchmark level. This initiative, driven by top-level efforts and local responses, sends a very clear message: the era of chemical plants relying on their past success is over! Safety, sustainability, and efficiency have become swords hanging over the heads of “old equipment”. If petrochemical and chemical enterprises do not want to find themselves at a disadvantage in future phase-outs and upgrades, they must now carefully examine the \"birth certificates\" of their equipment, and prepare in advance to either strengthen them or retire them properly.