Spotlight country page China: Opportunities for Sino-Dutch collaborations

December 05, 2022

With the latest five-year economic plan (2021-2025), the Chinese government has set new targets on renewable energy, emissions reduction and waste management, aiming at carbon neutrality by 2060. In 2021, a nationwide strategy to improve recycling and resource efficiency was introduced under the Development Plan for the Circular Economy.

Are you a Dutch company or entrepreneur interested in circular business opportunities in China? Check out the new China’s spotlight country page, where you can find key information on the policy landscape, circular economy strategy, and selected priority areas!

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2-pager circular construction in Shanghai, Nanjing and Shenzhen

Much attention is being paid to the construction sector, which accounts for over 7% of the national GDP (2020). The waste streams generated by the development, demolition and renovation of buildings and infrastructure present a tremendous opportunity for circular initiatives and business models, which are being significantly fueled by numerous governmental policies contained in the latest Five-Year Economic Plan (2021-2025).

Given the enormous opportunities for circular collaborations in China’s buildings and infrastructure sector, the 2022 Dutch Trade Mission focused on three major cities – Shanghai, Shenzhen and Nanjing – and circular developments in the local construction sectors.

There are several key findings:

  • Shanghai generates 100mln tons of construction waste from demolishing old urban areas and is now pushing for increased waste concrete reuse
  • Shenzhen aims to become waste-free by 2035 and currently invests in smart and circular innovations for materials recycling
  • Nanjing is focused on developing circular infrastructure, and local initiatives are creating a large-scale circular industry chain

Go to the dedicated page ‘Circular Construction in China’ to learn more.