The coal supply-and-demand scenario and developing trend of chemical coal in China

With the incessant growth of the coal-based chemical industry, China′s coal supply pattern tends to progressively undergo changes, and with the development of coal gasification technology, the volume of anthracite and that of bituminous coal required for use vary in proportions with the former being decreased and the latter increased. The bituminous coal with low degree of metamorphism has become the main chemical coal. In the light of the overall coal supply, transportation and demand situation in China, the paper presents a summary and analysis of the present status and developing trend of the chemical coal. It is pointed out that in the forthcoming years the chemical coal will become pretty tight in supply, and the price of such coal tends to maintain stable or slightly go up. The tactics for ensuring the supply of both anthracite and bituminous coal for chemical use are proposed.