Bid to protect $2bn coke export trade

China Minmetals Development Co is leading a group of Chinese coke traders to meet European clients and protect an export market worth about $2 billion a year.

China began limiting coke shipments since January, using export licences and quotas to safeguard supplies for domestic steelmakers. China’s curbs may push European steel companies to look elsewhere for supplies, said Pan Zhongyi, general manager at Minmetals Development’s coke exporting arm.