A Transitional Technology in the Chinese Cement Industry: The Development and Challenge of the Liulihe Cement Plant

The Liulihe Cement Plant in Beijing was established in 1939, originating from a small workshop founded by the Japanese as part of the North China Cement Co. Ltd. The plant was expanded after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and emerged a leader in cement production, successfully adopting the semi-dry process technology utilising Lepol kilns. This paper examines the two Lepol kiln production lines that survive at the plant. It identifies their chronology, discusses their technological status and delves into the significance of semi-dry technology in the context of China's cement industry. The paper also highlights the plant's significant role in the swift progress of the country's cement industry, an evolution that illustrates the characteristics of large state-owned enterprises during the period of China's planned economy, as well as the effects of market-oriented reforms implemented since the late 1970s and subsequent advancements in new technologies.