The anhydrous hydrogen fluoride market in East China was stable as of March 5, supported by high...
The recent release of the "Energy Consumption Limits for Graphite and Fluorite Unit Products" (GB45549-2025) by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standardization Administration is poised to significantly impact the Chinese fluorite industry. Effective April 1, 2026, this standard will serve as the sole national benchmark for energy consumption in both graphite and fluorite sectors. This move is expected to drive the elimination of outdated and inefficient production capacities, upgrade production equipment and technologies, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, ultimately promoting green and high-quality development within the fluorite industry.
The standard categorizes fluorite products into three grades based on their processing stage: lump ore, powder ore, and concentrate. It establishes specific energy consumption limits for each category. The energy consumption scope encompasses the entire production process, including primary (mining, crushing, grinding, flotation), auxiliary (water, electricity, heat, compressed air), and ancillary systems (offices, living facilities), excluding non-production activities like infrastructure construction and R&D.
The standard employs a comprehensive energy calculation method, converting various energy sources (primary, secondary, and energy-consuming media) into standard coal equivalents using established conversion factors. This allows for the calculation of overall unit product energy consumption.
Importantly, the standard sets clear thresholds: existing fluorite producers must meet the Level 3 energy consumption limit, while new, renovated, and expanded facilities must adhere to the stricter Level 2 limit. Non-compliance will result in mandatory upgrades, production restrictions, or even closure for existing facilities, and denial of approval for new projects. For example, a fluorite concentrate plant using a two-stage grinding process must achieve an energy consumption rate of ≤25 kgce/t for new projects (Level 2) and ≤32 kgce/t for existing operations (Level 3).
The implementation aims to establish industry benchmarks (Level 1), entry barriers (Level 2), and survival minimums (Level 3). This framework provides fluorite companies with clear targets and spurs corresponding improvement plans. Outdated capacities will be phased out or upgraded, and energy efficiency considerations will be integrated from the design phase for new projects.
Furthermore, technologically advanced companies stand to gain a competitive edge through technology licensing. This systematic approach is expected to transition the fluorite industry from a "high energy consumption and low efficiency" model to an "energy-saving and high efficiency" paradigm, ensuring a sustainable resource supply for strategic emerging industries like fluorine chemicals and new energy. The standard is predicted to increase industry concentration, with leading companies leveraging their technological prowess and financial strength to expand market share, fostering a more integrated and scaled fluorite industrial chain.
To adapt to these changes, fluorite companies must prioritize technological upgrades, focusing on intelligent retrofits of energy-intensive equipment, such as smart flotation machines for precise mineral processing control. Process optimization, including advanced flotation techniques and more effective reagents for enhanced recovery of low-grade fluorite, is crucial. Finally, companies should strengthen their energy management systems by aligning with GB 17167 standards, implementing comprehensive energy metering equipment, maintaining detailed energy statistical records, and conducting thorough data analysis to identify areas for improvement. By embracing these strategies, fluorite companies can not only comply with the new standard but also contribute to the industry's green and low-carbon development, supporting China's "dual carbon" goals.
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#Fluorspar #Fluorite #Metspar #Acidspar #AHF
