China's top economic planner and energy administration have jointly issued the coal industry development plan for the 15th "Five-Year Plan" period, targeting a peak in coal consumption by 2030 and the initial establishment of a modern coal industry system.

The plan, published on the National Development and Reform Commission website on August 10, outlines nine key tasks including expanding coal's use as a chemical feedstock, shifting the resource from a single fuel source toward dual fuel and feedstock applications.

The plan calls for strengthened coal-type classification management and region-specific utilization of coking coal and oil-rich coal. China holds abundant oil-rich coal reserves, and extracting high-value products such as tar and semi-coke through low-temperature pyrolysis represents a key pathway to maximize resource value.

On production capacity layout, the plan calls for scientific planning of coal-to-oil and coal-to-gas capacity, with orderly construction of strategic bases in Ordos in Inner Mongolia, Yulin in Shaanxi, and Zhundong and Hami in Xinjiang. These regions, rich in coal resources with solid industrial foundations, serve as strategic pillars for national energy security.

The plan specifically targets industrial breakthroughs in coal-to-aromatics and coal-based biodegradable materials. Coal-to-aromatics offers a key technical route to replace petroleum-based aromatics, while coal-based biodegradable materials such as polyglycolic acid and PBAT combine environmental and economic benefits. The plan also encourages coal chemical projects to adopt green power, green hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage applications.

The 15th "Five-Year Plan" period marks a critical transition for the coal industry, with the plan balancing energy security bottom lines against long-term green transition requirements.