China's recycled nonferrous metal output is expected to exceed 20 million tonnes by 2025, according to the country's National Development and Reform Commission.

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The production target is part of the NDRC's resource recycling industry development plan, which seeks to accelerate the development of a green and low-carbon circular economy during China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025)

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The world's largest metals consumer will increase its recycled nonferrous output from 14.5 million tonnes in 2020 to 20 million tonnes in the following five years, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Wednesday.

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According to the state planner, China's steel scrap use in 2020 will be approximately 260 million tonnes, which may replace 410 million tonnes of 62 percent iron ore intake.

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The country imported almost one billion tonnes of iron ore each year, accounting for more than 80% of total consumption.

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Soaring global metals prices have pushed up producer price inflation in China this year, forcing officials to take a slew of measures to cool speculation. Iron ore with a 62 percent iron content for shipping to China has increased 38 percent so far in 2021.

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The NDRC also promised to increase the pace at which renewable resources are substituted for primary resources, as well as to improve the utilisation of low-grade ores, tailing dams, and other resources.

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"Non-economic forces had significantly jolted the global supply chain, raising supply unpredictability... had posed a huge threat to China's resource security," claimed the NDRC.

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According to the release, the initiative would also assist the government in meeting its carbon peak and carbon neutrality targets.China intends to peak its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to achieve "carbon neutrality" by 2060.

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The ferrous sector accounts for around 15% of total carbon emissions in China, while the nonferrous sector accounts for approximately 4.7 percent.

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