On November 19, Xinjiang region-based Chinese steel producer Bayi Iron and Steel, a subsidiary of Chinese steel giant Baosteel, permanently shut down two converters at its first steelworks due to excessive emissions, as announced by local Chinese media sources.
The overall annual output capacity of the two converters is 1 million mt, equivalent to annual revenue of RMB 3.5-4 billion ($561-642 million). A spokesman for Bayi Iron and Steel commented that the steelmaker's annual emissions of sulfur dioxide and dust will decrease by 1,000 mt and 1,500 mt respectively following the closure of the converters in question.