Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement by the General Administration of Customs regarding the importation of recycled paper pulp aims to enhance regulatory measures and prevent the entry of "foreign waste" into China, particularly focusing on the distinction between "dry" and "wet" processing methods [3][5][8] Summary by Sections Regulatory Changes - The new regulation requires importers to specify the processing method of recycled paper pulp as either "dry" or "wet" on customs declarations, which is intended to strengthen import supervision and management [3][5] - Since January 1, 2021, China has banned the import of solid waste in any form, aiming to curb the influx of foreign waste [3][4] Differences Between Processing Methods - "Dry" processing involves minimal purification, leading to the importation of contaminated materials, while "wet" processing includes thorough purification steps, resulting in higher quality recycled pulp [4][5] - Dry processed pulp is often referred to as "more dangerous foreign waste" due to its potential contamination with plastics, heavy metals, and microorganisms [4][5] Impact on the Industry - The new regulations are expected to increase the workload for importers, who must now ensure accurate reporting of their production processes, potentially leading to stricter inspections and higher compliance costs [5][6] - Companies relying on low-cost dry pulp may face increased raw material costs and production adjustments, prompting a shift towards higher quality recycled or virgin pulp [8] Long-term Implications - The announcement signifies the end of the "dry pulp" era, with expectations that it will reduce the import of low-quality materials and promote a transition to more environmentally friendly production methods [8] - The effectiveness of these regulations will depend on the enforcement and accompanying measures to ensure compliance and prevent fraudulent declarations [6][8]

Group 1 - The Chinese government implemented a ban on foreign waste imports in 2018 to prevent pollution transfer and protect public health, which has received widespread approval [1] - The ban has led to positive effects on improving China's environmental quality, but some entities have exploited loopholes by sending processed waste paper from developed countries to Southeast Asia before exporting it to China, which poses health risks and creates unfair competition for compliant paper companies [2] - The production of legitimate waste paper pulp requires extensive purification processes, while dry ground pulp production skips most of these steps, resulting in lower quality and potential contamination [2][3] Group 2 - There are existing national recommended standards for recycled paper pulp in China, but reports of impurities and pathogens in imported dry ground pulp have emerged, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and the conversion of recommended standards to mandatory ones [3] - Domestic companies utilizing recycled fibers have a rigid demand for quality, employing various methods to remove contaminants to ensure their products meet market standards, thereby minimizing safety risks in final products [3]

Core Viewpoint - The import of "dry ground pulp" under the guise of recycled paper pulp is essentially a method of importing foreign solid waste, posing significant environmental and health risks to the domestic paper industry [2][5][6]. Group 1: Industry Background - Since January 1, 2021, China has completely banned the import of solid waste, disrupting the supply of imported waste paper for paper manufacturers [2]. - The production of legitimate waste paper pulp requires extensive processing, achieving a fiber content of over 91.5% with minimal impurities, while dry ground pulp skips most of these essential steps [2][3]. Group 2: Environmental and Health Risks - Contaminants such as plastic fragments, heavy metals, and microorganisms can enter the domestic production chain through dry ground pulp, leading to potential health hazards in products like food packaging and sanitary paper [3][5]. - The presence of these pollutants can cause secondary pollution in water treatment systems and may clog machinery in paper production, affecting product quality [3][6]. Group 3: Regulatory and Standardization Issues - The newly released national standard for recycled paper pulp lacks mandatory requirements for key quality indicators, unlike stricter foreign standards [5][10]. - Experts have called for the revision of national standards to include compulsory indicators for fiber integrity and impurity levels, as well as enhanced detection standards for contaminants [10][11]. Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - Experts recommend strengthening customs supervision and implementing comprehensive inspection and testing to prevent contaminated materials from entering the domestic market [10][11]. - Suggestions include introducing advanced detection technologies and establishing a fiber traceability system to ensure the integrity of imported materials [10][11].