“Strategies and key objectives for the coking industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period!
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The coking industry is an important energy conversion sector for the processing and utilization of coal resources, and it serves as a vital supporting industry for the steel industry. At present, China has developed the most comprehensive coking industry system in the world—one that makes the widest use of coal resources, fully exploits the value potential of coking coal, and features distinct Chinese characteristics. “During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China’s coke production remained relatively stable, and there was significant improvement in coke production processes, technologies, equipment, as well as environmental protection measures. However, there are still some issues that hinder high-quality development. “During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the coking industry will focus on low-carbon transformation and green development, strive to optimize and adjust its industrial structure, and accelerate the improvement of all aspects related to this industry, so as to achieve greener, lower-carbon, more intelligent operations as well as safer production in the coking sector. “Substantial progress has been made in the high-quality development of the coking industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Over the years, especially since the start of this plan, China’s coking industry has always been guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focusing on promoting high-quality development as its main goal and deepening supply-side structural reforms as its key approach. It has adhered to innovation-driven development and accelerated transformation and upgrading, shifting from expansion in scale to emphasis on quality and efficiency ； Transitioning from extensive management to scientific, standardized, and excellence-driven approaches ； Shifting from pursuing output growth to intensive efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental friendliness ； By shifting from short-term effects to sustainable development and implementing upgrades in process technologies, equipment standards, and customer service, the industry has achieved substantial progress in its high-quality development. 1. Implement measures to reduce pollution and carbon emissions. Coking manufacturers actively implement relevant industrial policies, further improve measures for energy conservation, pollution reduction, and carbon emission cuts, thereby achieving a new round of industrial upgrading. 2. Structural reforms on the supply side are being advanced in depth. “Since the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the coking industry has completed capacity replacement of over 200 million tons; a number of modern large-scale coke ovens have been built and put into operation, and the level of research, development, and application of technical equipment has further improved ； New progress has been made in the expansion of the industrial chain. In addition to its use for methanol and natural gas production, the comprehensive utilization of coke oven gas has now seen industrial application in the production of ethanol and ethylene glycol, as well as in power generation using domestically produced gas turbines, thereby improving the efficiency of this comprehensive utilization of coke oven gas ； By actively promoting mergers and reorganizations, the industrial concentration in major coke-producing provinces such as Shanxi, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Inner Mongolia has increased further, and the industrial layout has been further optimized ； We are making further progress in implementing key strategic measures. Adhering to the principle of \"joint consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits,\" we actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. We strive to use new technologies, standards, and materials to create new opportunities for development along the routes involved, and to share the benefits of cooperation. Our overseas market has continued to expand; coking technology and equipment have been exported to over 10 countries, while Chinese-funded projects abroad have created a production capacity of nearly 20 million tons. 3. Adhere to innovation-driven development and enhance enterprises’ technological innovation capabilities. The research and development, design, equipment manufacturing, project construction, low-carbon and energy-saving technologies, environmental protection measures, and efficient operation management in China’s coking industry have all seen significant improvements, placing it at the world’s leading level. This has provided a solid technical and equipment foundation for the development of a modern coking industry in China. First, the R&D foundation with strong technical capabilities is being gradually improved. China’s coking industry has developed a relatively complete research and development system that provides strong support for technological innovation in this sector. This includes a number of **-level R&D centers (technology centers), **-level enterprise technology centers, **-level key laboratories, as well as provincial and municipal R&D centers (technology centers) and enterprise technology research centers. Second, new-generation energy-saving and consumption-reducing process technologies have been successfully developed and widely applied. A large number of energy-saving and carbon-reduction technologies, such as coke oven heating control, waste heat recovery techniques for coke oven risers, waste heat recovery techniques for pre-coolers, and waste heat recovery techniques for recycled ammonia water, have been successfully developed and widely applied. The waste heat recovery technology for raw gas in the coke oven rising pipe was included by the **Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in 2018 within the **List of Key Energy-Saving and Low-Carbon Technologies to Be Promoted**. Meanwhile, the dry quenching technology has been widely applied in the coking plants of steel complexes and independent coking enterprises, providing technical support for energy conservation and carbon reduction in the coking industry as well as the broader steel industry. The projects developed by MCC Coking & Refractory Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., namely “Development and Application of Clean and Efficient Coking Technologies and Equipment,” “Comprehensive Development and Application of Technologies Introduced for Dry Quenching of Coke,” and “Development and Application of Technologies and Equipment for Flue Gas Desulfurization and Denitrification in Coke Ovens,” won the First and Second Prizes for Scientific and Technological Progress. Additionally, a number of other scientific and technological achievements received awards in the field of metallurgical science and technology as well as provincial and ministerial-level scientific and technological awards. Advanced treatment technologies for coking wastewater, as well as technologies for coal charging, coke extraction, desulfurization during dry quenching of coke, and dust removal in coke ovens, are becoming increasingly mature. These technologies have been widely adopted by enterprises, effectively reducing energy consumption, material consumption, water usage, and pollutant emissions ； Technologies for the resource utilization of coking industry waste, such as the production of acid and salt from desulfurization wastewater from coke oven gas, have been widely promoted. Technical breakthroughs have been achieved in the refining of crude sulfur obtained through the desulfurization of coke oven gas, and the environmental protection equipment available to coking enterprises has been significantly improved. These developments have brought about fundamental changes in the safe, sustainable, and high-quality development of the coking industry. 4. Adhere to green development, achieving new breakthroughs in pollution reduction and carbon emission cuts. The coking industry has actively responded to the call, regarding ultra-low emission upgrades as an important task for the industry’s transformation and upgrading. In accordance with the requirements of the \"Opinions on Promoting Ultra-Low Emission Standards in the Coking Industry,\" local governments and coking enterprises have formulated detailed plans and implementation strategies for achieving ultra-low emissions, specifying the timelines, roadmaps, and objectives for these reforms. As of the end of March this year, 3 independent coking enterprises—Shanxi Liheng, China Coal Xuyang, and Qian’an Sinochem—had completed the public disclosure of their production capacities, totaling 8.97 million tons. In the future, the coking industry will continue to advance ultra-low emission upgrades, driving the sector toward higher quality and lower emissions. 5. Promote the deep integration of digital technologies with the traditional coking industry. The coking industry promotes the use of data to drive coordinated transformation across the entire industrial chain, deepening digital applications in areas such as research and development, design, production, management, and market services. This enables smooth and controlled flow of information, materials, and funds, as well as shared use of information resources, thereby improving the efficiency of production and operations as well as environmental protection efforts. Innovate business models by making active use of modern methods such as e-commerce and futures trading to enhance the standardization and efficiency of corporate transactions in coking products. 6. A modernized coking industry is gradually taking shape. At present, China’s coking industry is at the world’s leading level in terms of scale, production volume, technology, and management. It boasts a complete set of functions including research and development, design, equipment manufacturing, construction, production management, and testing methods. With advanced processing technologies and modern equipment, it has developed the most comprehensive coking industry system in the world—one that makes the widest use of coal resources, fully exploits the value potential of coking coal, and features distinct Chinese characteristics. This industry can fully meet the needs of sectors such as steel manufacturing, chemicals, non-ferrous metal smelting, and machinery production in China.
The main problems currently facing the coking industry: Despite the progress made in recent years, China’s coking industry still faces several issues that hinder high-quality development, primarily in the following areas. 1. Overcapacity. The fundamental issue of overcapacity in coke production has not changed, and the situation of supply exceeding demand persists. In 2024, the coke production capacity was 650 million tons, while the actual coke output was 490 million tons; the average capacity utilization rate was less than 80%. In the short term, the supply and demand dynamics in China’s coking product market will continue to fluctuate, leading to a decline in corporate profitability. 2. Low profitability levels. Overcapacity in the coking industry inevitably leads to a decline in profit levels. In the short term, the supply and demand dynamics in China’s coking product market will continue to fluctuate, resulting in weaker profitability for enterprises and an increasing number of them suffering losses. 3. Low industry concentration. In recent years, with the adjustment of the industrial structure, the concentration level in the coking industry has increased. Currently, the average production capacity of enterprises is nearly 1.5 million tons, the highest level on record, though there is still room for further improvement. Compared to mature international markets, the top 10 companies in China’s coking industry account for less than 20% of the total production capacity; these companies have weak risk resistance capabilities and are scattered in terms of their locations, which hinders the comprehensive utilization of resources as well as the centralized deep processing of chemical products. Advanced and backward enterprises coexist, and there is still room for improvement in the efficient allocation of resources, products, and logistics. 4. Shortage of talent. With the rapid development of the coking industry, there is a growing demand for highly skilled talents. Meanwhile, the industry requires professionals with specialized knowledge to continuously drive technological innovation and industrial upgrading. In reality, due to factors such as industry characteristics and geographical location, coking enterprises often find it difficult to attract and retain professional talent, which to some extent limits the companies’ innovation capacity and competitiveness. Faced with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and fierce market competition, coking enterprises can only enhance their market competitiveness by changing their development models, improving their innovation capabilities, and raising the productivity of all factors of production.
“During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the coking industry will accelerate its transition toward low-carbon development and green growth. The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party states that promoting green and low-carbon development in economic and social activities is a key factor in achieving high-quality development. China’s coking industry is gradually transitioning toward automation, informatization, and intelligence, but the current level of intelligent manufacturing still lags far behind international advanced standards. “During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the coking industry must proactively adapt to the new environmental protection challenges, focus on low-carbon transformation and green development, strive to optimize the industrial structure, and accelerate the improvement of all aspects related to the coking industry, so as to enable it to gradually become more green, low-carbon, intelligent, and safe in terms of production. 1. The ideas and directions for the development of the coking industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. First, it is necessary to thoroughly implement the spirit of the ****’s Recommendations on Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Term Goals through 2035, firmly uphold the five development concepts of innovation, coordination, green development, openness, and sharing, transform the mode of development, enhance innovation capabilities, and improve the productivity of all factors of production. Second, deepen supply-side structural reform. Reduce excess production capacity, optimize industrial layout, and adjust the industrial structure ； Actively promote the integration of industry assets; through corporate mergers and reorganizations, increase industrial concentration, foster intensive development, and raise the level of technical equipment. Explore new areas for the application of deeply processed products derived from coke, coke oven gas, and coal tar; make full use of the advantages in hydrogen production; and achieve deep industrial integration with modern industries such as coal chemical engineering, metallurgy, fertilizer production, petrochemicals, and building materials. Establish a strategic cooperation mechanism between coking manufacturers and their upstream and downstream enterprises, so as to truly form an interest community among coal-coking-steel enterprises and achieve mutual benefit and common development. Third, it is to shift the drivers of growth and rely on innovation to promote the transformation and upgrading of industries. Seize the opportunities presented by the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, effectively stimulate the internal driving forces of production factors, and push enterprise safety, environmental protection, and overall efficiency to new levels. By focusing on comprehensive system optimization, and through technological innovation and business model innovation, the shortcomings that hinder efficient operation in the coking industry are addressed ； By leading with model coking enterprises, the scientific, standardized, and regulated management level of the industry is comprehensively improved, thereby enhancing its sustainable development capacity. Fourth, further strengthen the research, development, promotion, and application of key industry technologies, processes, and equipment. It effectively reduces energy consumption, material consumption, water consumption, and pollutant emissions, with a focus on improving the efficiency of waste heat recovery, water recycling, and the reuse of solid waste. It places greater emphasis on the organic integration of source control, process management, and end-of-pipe treatment. Strengthen research on the properties of coke used in blast furnaces and on coking coal, to adapt to the trend of larger blast furnaces. In particular, it is necessary to study issues such as the increased demand for coking coal resources resulting from improved coke quality from a sustainable development perspective. Fully leverage the coordinating and guiding role of the Expert Committee and various professional committees of the China Coking Industry Association, as well as the leading and exemplary roles of national, provincial, and municipal technology centers, laboratories, and model enterprises. Adhere to an innovation mechanism that integrates industry, academia, and research to effectively address the key technical challenges and related equipment issues faced by enterprises in this industry. Fifth, advance the standardization of work safety. Work related to safe production must always adhere to a people-oriented approach, pursue safe development, and follow the principles of giving top priority to safety, focusing on prevention, and adopting comprehensive management strategies. It is necessary to clarify the important role of safe production, its main tasks, and the fundamental ways to achieve it. The responsibilities for standardized management of work safety and standardized operations must be implemented in every link and at every post within production and business activities. It is necessary to further improve the rules and regulations regarding work safety, establish effective emergency response plans for unexpected incidents, and conduct regular training and drills. It is essential to completely prevent major and severe casualties as well as equipment accidents, avoid and reduce ordinary accidents, especially those that occur repeatedly, and comprehensively improve the level of safety management in production. Sixth, continue to promote data-driven collaborative transformation across the entire industrial chain. Develop informationization and intelligence technologies for coking process flows to enhance the level of intelligent manufacturing ； Promote the application of automated and information-based control technologies in the production organization and management of the coking industry, promptly summarize advanced technological achievements and management practices, approach matters in a practical manner, and improve the efficiency of inputs and outputs. Seventh, use advanced standards to promote high-quality development in enterprises. Promote the implementation of the \"Evaluation Standards for Model Coking Enterprises\" in more coking enterprises ； A series of industry standards such as the \"Evaluation Specifications for Coke Used in Blast Furnaces\" and the \"Technical Regulations for Coking Processes\" have been formulated and implemented. These standards should be forward-looking, drawing fully on advanced management concepts from around the world, so as to meet the requirements of being advanced, practical, scientific, and standardized; they are intended to serve as working guidelines for those involved in the coking industry. Eighth is to accelerate the development of the talent pool. Cultivate professional and technical talents as well as management personnel at various levels who are needed to drive innovation, reform, transformation, and upgrading in enterprises, along with a team of highly skilled operators; thus creating a harmonious team with high technical and professional capabilities, a shared *****, and strong ***.
Second, the main objectives for the development of the coking industry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. First, by optimizing and adjusting plans based on the industrial layout in various regions, excess production capacity is further reduced through market and administrative measures, while the level of manufacturing processes and technical equipment is improved. Mergers and reorganizations are carried out through methods such as capacity replacement, equity exchange, property rights transfer, and joint ventures, thereby significantly increasing industry concentration and enabling efficient and integrated development through collaborations between strong players. Second, adhering to the concept of comprehensive process optimization, clean production is promoted, and efforts are made to carry out ultra-low emission upgrades for coking enterprises. By 2028, coking enterprises in key areas will have essentially completed their transformation tasks, with the goal of having 80% of the country’s coking capacity upgraded ； Pollutant emissions are reduced through source control combined with end-of-pipe treatment methods, thereby fully meeting the \"Emission Standards for Air Pollutants from Coking Chemical Industries\". By 2030, emissions of volatile organic compounds are to be reduced by 600,000 tons per year, particulate matter by 30,000 tons per year, sulfur dioxide by 50,000 tons per year, nitrogen oxides by 230,000 tons per year, and ammonia by 5,500 tons per year ； Optimize solid waste treatment processes to increase the rate of resource utilization of solid waste by over 10%. Third, improve the energy management system, promote the use of energy-saving technologies, and establish a number of qualified energy management centers, with the goal of reducing energy consumption per ton of coke by 2 kilograms of standard coal by 2030. Fourth, establish a comprehensive evaluation and assessment system for carbon peak and carbon neutrality in the coking industry, enhance relevant measurement, statistical, and monitoring capabilities, create a carbon emission control system, and develop a carbon footprint management system for coking products as well as a product carbon labeling and certification system that suit China’s national conditions, so as to ensure the achievement of the carbon peak target on schedule. Fifth, it is necessary to improve the level of information management in the industry; the adoption rate of information-based control systems across the entire process should exceed 70%, and progress should be made in the use of intelligent manufacturing technologies in the coking industry.
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