The chemical industrial park of Dongying Port Economic Development Zone balances industrial development with ecological health.
The air in Dongying Economic Development Zone is free from harsh chemical odors, and greenery and gardens are seen throughout the area. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_de6f0be95f98]
In the past, managing pollution posed significant challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises due to the high cost of management facilities. Recognizing this, the development zone made a decisive investment over a decade ago, allocating more than 368 million yuan ($50.8 million) to establish a water treatment plant with a daily processing capacity of 50,000 metric tons.
Subsequent upgrades to the plant, supported by an additional 400 million yuan, increased its capacity to 75,000 metric tons per day. Beneath the development zone lies an intricate network of pipelines connecting to every enterprise.
The water treatment plant employs a three-step process: pre-treatment, biological treatment, and advanced treatment. This model ensures effective pollution control and compliance with environmental standards. Once treated, the wastewater is repurposed, with a significant portion reused for irrigating urban greenery.
To further enhance sustainability, the zone has initiated a reclaimed water reuse project with an investment of 230 million yuan. This project leverages advanced processes to produce reclaimed water, which will be supplied back to enterprises for reuse. According to Hu Bingqian, general manager of Dongying Port New Energy Development Group, the project reduces industrial water costs to approximately 12 yuan per metric ton for a savings of 2.42 yuan per metric ton.
"With a daily usage of 3,000 metric tons over 330 operational days per year, enterprises can save over 2.4 million yuan annually," Hu added.
