South Korean Cement Producers Cut Coal Ash Imports from Japan

The Korea Cement Association (KCA) said its members would increase the use of coal ash in local thermal power plants or source alternative raw materials from domestic clay mines. The decision follows a trade dispute between South Korea and Japan, according to "Aju Business Daily". The Ministry of Environment began tightening rules on coal ash imports from Japan in August 2019

due to concerns about radioactive and heavy metal contamination. Importers are now required to submit an authorized radiological inspection report and a heavy metal composition analysis. KCA said its members use 3.15 million tonnes of coal ash annually and import 1.28 million tonnes annually from Japan.