Study on Coal Ash and Slag Waste Utilization in China

Eurasia Development Group: in 2024, coal ash and slag generation in China reached 550 million tonnes, while the utilization rate stood at 72%; the circular economy is becoming a priority of the national strategy.

China remains the world’s largest coal producer, generating hundreds of millions of tonnes of coal ash and slag waste every year. Low recycling rates lead to the accumulation of environmental risks and require the development of circular economy infrastructure to support sustainable regional growth.

The study analyzes trends in coal ash and slag generation, recycling and utilization from 2016 to 2024, assesses regional characteristics and the sectoral structure of waste generation, and identifies key technologies and best practices.

Key Findings

• In 2024, coal ash and slag generation exceeded 550 million tonnes, while total accumulated reserves reached approximately 45 billion tonnes; 387 million tonnes (72%) were recycled.
• The recycling rate stabilized at 70–72%, supported by investment in construction materials manufacturing facilities.
• The leading regions by coal ash and slag generation are Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Shanxi, Shandong, Jiangsu and Guangdong.
• The main consumers are eastern provinces, where coal ash and slag are used in the production of cement, concrete and road paving materials.
• Closed-loop industrial parks demonstrate effective “waste-to-product” models.

Market Drivers

Tighter environmental standards, targeted circular economy development plans and government subsidies are driving the expansion of coal ash and slag recycling infrastructure. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of waste in construction and materials circulation.

What This Means for Russian Players

• Import of advanced production lines and equipment for crushing, mixing and molding coal ash and slag into construction materials.
• Consulting on sustainable waste management and the implementation of international environmental management standards.

Expert Comment
“The development of coal ash and slag recycling chains is becoming one of the key drivers of industrial innovation in China, and Russian manufacturers of waste utilization equipment and technologies can effectively capitalize on this trend,” says Sergey Geilo, Senior Partner at Eurasia Development Group.