Three large chemical fibre joint ventures have been closed down for failing to meet China's environmental protection standards, the Economic Daily reported Tuesday.

 

The companies, each involving an investment of over US$10 million were closed down by Jiaonan municipal government of east China's Shandong Province. The companies are Qingdao Erhe Fibre Company Limited, Qingdao Cotton Fibre Company Limited and Qingdao Dahong Company.

 

Environment protection authorities said the companies established in 1990s by the seashore have been found to be "continuously discharging contaminated liquid waste" into the Yellow Sea.

 

The Beijing-based daily said Erhe Fibre and Cotton Fibre used nearly 6,000 tons of chemical dye a year and discharged 4,000 tons of waste water.

 

The companies have been discharging liquid waste that was not up to China's environmental protection criteria and have not installed proper waste treatment facilities, said the newspaper.

 

Local authorities have required the polluters to tear down their workshops by September and demolition is now under way.

 

The closing of the plants will put over 1,000 workers out of work and cost the economy US$40 million in exports. Local authorities have reached agreements with the headquarters of the three companies in development of environment-friendly new products, removal of the problematic workshops and the start-up of new companies.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2006)