Recently, the updated “Admission Requirements for the Printing and Dyeing Industry†introduced stricter entry barriers and more rigorous standards for companies in the sector. These requirements now cover detailed aspects such as corporate layout, process and equipment specifications, resource consumption, environmental protection, and the comprehensive utilization of resources. Shortly after, the State Council’s executive meeting emphasized the need to intensify efforts to meet the energy-saving and emission reduction targets set during the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan."
Through the first four years of the plan, the energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 14.38%, but there remains a significant gap compared to the goal of a 20% reduction. The State Council outlined eight key requirements to strengthen energy conservation and emission control, making these goals even more critical. In response, a reporter recently interviewed experts from the China Printing and Dyeing Industry Association regarding the challenges and strategies faced by the industry.
What are effective measures?
Experts from the association noted that the printing and dyeing industry has made considerable progress in energy efficiency and emission reduction over the past three years. This improvement is not only driven by government regulations but also by the industry's own pursuit of sustainable development. As one of the most water- and energy-intensive sectors in the textile industry, printing and dyeing has seen remarkable improvements through energy-saving upgrades. For example, the reuse rate of medium water has increased from 10% to 20%, with some leading companies achieving up to 50%.
In June 2007, the China Printing and Dyeing Industry Association, in collaboration with six provincial textile associations and 20 major enterprises, launched an "Energy Saving and Emission Reduction Initiative." They called on all national printing and dyeing companies to actively implement the State Council's policies and fully commit to energy-saving and emission-reduction work. From 2007 to 2009, the association released three batches of 91 advanced technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing pollution. These technologies span equipment, processes, dyes, waste steam treatment, and resource recycling.
One notable example is the "Dyeing and Printing Wastewater Treatment and Water Recycling Technology" adopted by Changzhou Dongxia Textile Printing and Dyeing Co., Ltd. This technology reduced the COD level of wastewater from 1200 mg/L to 193 mg/L, and further to 36.85 mg/L after advanced treatment. As a result, 50% of the water was reused daily, saving 1,000 tons of water. Annually, this helped reduce 241.5 tons of ammonia nitrogen and 241.5 tons of total phosphorus.
Consistent theme
Comparing the revised admission requirements between 2008 and 2010, the new standards for newly built or expanded printing and dyeing projects require a comprehensive energy consumption of ≤35 kg of standard coal per 100 meters for cotton, linen, chemical fiber, and blended fabrics—up from 38 kg. Existing companies must also reduce their energy consumption from ≤54 kg to ≤42 kg per 100 meters.
The revision of the admission criteria not only raised the bar for entry but also provided specific metrics for water usage. This means all printing and dyeing companies must continue investing in energy-saving and emission-reduction initiatives. These efforts are essential for enhancing competitiveness, lowering energy costs, increasing product value, and promoting clean production. By reducing sewage and pollutants, the industry can shift from end-of-pipe solutions to source-based pollution prevention, achieving both economic and environmental benefits.
Looking at the broader textile industry, printing and dyeing remains a crucial segment. It is a capital- and technology-intensive field, and energy conservation and emission reduction are key steps toward industrial transformation. Industrial upgrading should ultimately reflect in the quality of products. Developing high-quality, innovative products is the future direction for the industry. Focusing on independent research and development will ensure long-term growth and sustainability in the printing and dyeing sector.
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