AT least five publicly listed chemical producers have been ordered to reduce output for violating environmental protection regulations, company fillings made this month to the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange showed, as the government steps up its fight against pollution.

Four of the companies, including Nanjing Chemical Fiber, Lianhe Chemical Technology, Jiangsu Yabang Dyestuff and Jiangsu Yoke Technology, are based in eastern Jiangsu Province where the local government has launched sweeping checks on its chemical sector.

The wider scrutiny follows the shutdown of a chemical plant in the city of Lianyungang in Jiangsu, after media reports showed it was polluting nearby water resources.

“Government ordered all chemical producers to temporarily halt production after media reported pollution problems from chemical firms in Lianyungang,” Lianhe Chemical Technology said Monday.

Local officials in eastern China are facing pressure to improve air quality and are taking more aggressive measures as a result.

In another example of tighter curbs on commodity producers, the city of Xuzhou, also in Jiangsu, suspended operations at three steel mills until they meet more strict anti-pollution rules.(SD-Agencies)