第一财经·2025-08-21 13:30Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and regulatory issues surrounding the import of recycled paper pulp in China, particularly after the ban on solid waste imports, highlighting the environmental risks and the need for stricter standards and oversight [3][4][11]. Group 1: Import Ban and Industry Response - Since January 1, 2021, China has banned the import of solid waste, including waste paper, leading to a significant shift in the sourcing of raw materials for the paper industry [3][4]. - Major paper companies like Nine Dragons Paper, Shanying International, and Sun Paper have begun investing in overseas recycled pulp projects to adapt to the new regulations [4][11]. - The import volume of recycled paper pulp surged from 300,000 tons in 2018 to 3.36 million tons in 2022, an increase of 11 times [4]. Group 2: Quality and Environmental Concerns - There are significant quality differences among various types of recycled paper pulp, such as roll pulp, wet pulp, and dry ground pulp, which affect their environmental impact and processing costs [5][9]. - Dry ground pulp, which skips many conventional processing steps, often contains high levels of impurities and poses health risks due to the presence of bacteria and other contaminants [9][12]. - A study showed that untreated waste paper samples contained up to 150,000 bacteria per gram, highlighting the potential health hazards associated with imported recycled pulp [13]. Group 3: Regulatory Standards and Recommendations - A new national standard for recycled paper pulp was released in November 2023, aiming to set technical requirements and prevent the entry of "foreign garbage" [11][12]. - The standard is currently recommended rather than mandatory, leading to concerns about compliance and the quality of imported materials [11][12]. - Experts suggest that stricter regulations should be enforced, including mandatory inspections of all products declared as recycled paper pulp and the establishment of a blacklist for non-compliant exporters [19][21]. Group 4: Industry Support and Future Directions - There is a call for increased support for domestic paper companies, particularly those investing in overseas pulp production, to enhance their technological capabilities and ensure quality [19][21]. - The industry is encouraged to adopt innovative technologies to improve the quality of recycled pulp and reduce environmental impacts [19][21]. - The article emphasizes the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure that the import of recycled paper pulp aligns with environmental standards and public health safety [19][21].