Core 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].

Core Viewpoint - The comprehensive utilization of waste resources in China is becoming increasingly important for sustainable urban development, driven by rising waste generation and the need for resource recycling under the "carbon peak and carbon neutrality" framework [1][12]. Market Overview - The waste resource comprehensive utilization industry in China is projected to achieve an operating income of 1,204.3 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 2.70%, and a total profit of 22.82 billion yuan, also reflecting a growth of 2.61% [1][12]. - In the first four months of 2025, the industry has already completed an operating income of 377.67 billion yuan, generating a profit of 4.1 billion yuan [1]. Market Policies - A series of supportive policies have been issued to encourage the development of the waste resource comprehensive utilization industry, including guidelines for recycling systems and promoting green manufacturing [4][6]. Industry Chain - The upstream of the waste resource comprehensive utilization industry includes various sources of waste, such as residential, industrial, commercial, and agricultural waste, with collection channels including individual recyclers, community recycling stations, and direct collection by enterprises [7]. - The midstream involves the production of recycled products, utilizing recycled materials in various sectors, such as metals, plastics, paper, and construction materials [8]. Competitive Landscape - The industry is characterized by a large number of participants and a fragmented market structure, with 3,841 scale enterprises reported in 2024, marking an increase of 11.43% [16]. - Major companies in the industry include GreenMe, ShouChuang Environmental Protection, Camel Group, and others, with GreenMe leading in revenue at 33.2 billion yuan in 2024 [17][18]. Company Analysis - GreenMe has positioned itself as a leader in the waste recycling industry, achieving an operating income of 33.2 billion yuan, with 7.44 billion yuan from waste resource utilization, accounting for 22.4% of total revenue [20]. - Yiqiu Resources focuses on recycling aluminum, generating 6.999 billion yuan in total revenue, with 6.981 billion yuan from waste resource utilization, representing 99.74% of its total income [22]. Development Trends - Future trends indicate a collaborative approach among waste resource utilization enterprises and their upstream and downstream partners to enhance resource efficiency and economic benefits [24]. - There is an anticipated expansion into overseas markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and Africa, leveraging technological advantages to increase resource acquisition and market share [24].