On May 20-25, 2018, the GAIN (Global Aggregates Information Network) and UEPG (European Aggregates Association) Delegates Assembly was held in Barcelona, Spain. The meeting was attended by about 50 representatives from aggregates associations across USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, Spain and China. It provided a good opportunity for the members to exchange ideas on aggregate industry development and ecological environment protection.

 There was a 20-member Chinese delegation led by Mr. Hu Youyi, president of China Aggregate Association (CAA). Mr. Hu delivered a speech on eco-friendly model of China’s aggregate industry, which obtained high recognition from the attendants. Ideas worth spreading, here we would like to share the speech of Mr. Hu for inspiration of industry peers.

I. In order to protect ecological environment and resources, China persists in the path of green development and shuts down a large number of backward aggregate plants.At present, there are 17,000 aggregate enterprises in China, and over 300 large modern mines which integrate mining, processing, storage and transport into one. With the increase of demand for artificial sand (M-sand), the crushing and screening equipment has also made long-term progress.Currently China has more than 3,000 manufacturers of aggregate production equipment with a full range of specifications. Among all the manufacturers, many are able to offer complete mining solution. 

II. The Chinese government attaches great importance and actively promotes green development of the aggregate industry. The specifications for the construction of green mines in nine industries (including aggregate industry) formulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, will be released and implemented in the near future. China's aggregate plants generally pay attention to environmental protection by taking various practical measures, such as installation of dust collection and noise reduction devices, recycling of waste water, materials storage and transport with conveyor belts, comprehensive utilization of byproducts - stone powder. At the same time, the aggregate industry has made great progress for integration of informatization and industrialization.A lot of stone crusher plants have achieved online monitoring of production, equipment, safety, and environment. At present, China's aggregate industry has entered 4.0 era that witnesses integration of green mining, processing, transportation, mortar and concrete mixing stations, comprehensive utilization of solid waste, brick-making, and new building materials (PC components) R&D, etc.

III. CAA will carry out a series of effective measures to promote healthy development of the aggregate industry: build a filing system of aggregate products, guide enterprises to choose green technologies,open up channels between traditional industries and green technologies, establish an assessment and certification system for green aggregate products, carry out product identification for green energy and green sand production, guide the enterprises to shift their pursuit from scale and speed to quality and benefits, encourage purchase of the products that have been eco-designed or certified by the environmental label.