According to data from the China Iron and Steel Association, the pollution rate caused by major steel companies in China decreased during the first quarter of 2023.

Wastewater total amount discharged by primary steel companies decreased by 16.39 per cent year on year, and sulfur dioxide emissions lowered by 15.75 per cent during the period, according to the association.

These companies energy efficiency also improved; electricity use per tonne of steel decreased by 3.05 per cent year on year, while water consumption per tonne of steel reduced by 6 per cent yearly.

Major steel companies also saw better profitability in the first quarter of this year, with profits rising from 2.55 billion Yuan (about 368.3 million U.S. dollars) in January to 10.33 billion Yuan in March, according to the data.