Zinc
Zinc is among most recyclable metals, capable of being recycled indefinitely without any loss of its physical or chemical properties
| Annual Recycled Share of Global Supply | 80% |
|---|---|
| End of Life Recycling Rate | 55-60% |
| Top Exporters of Scrap Material | France, Germany, United States, Malaysia, Netherlands, |
| Top Importers of Scrap Material | India, Italy, Malaysia, Belgium, Austria, |
| Annual Share of Global Supply from E-Waste | 0.9% |
Zinc’s recyclability plays a critical role in reducing the environmental footprint of zinc production, particularly in sectors such as construction, automotive, and galvanizing, where it is extensively used. This high degree of recyclability, coupled with robust global infrastructure for zinc recovery, positions it as a strategically important material in the transition toward a circular economy. Estimates by various researchers suggest up to a 98% reduction in the carbon footprint of secondary zinc, as opposed to raw zinc production. Recycling zinc plays a crucial role in sustainability by significantly reducing the demand for energy-intensive primary zinc production, and mitigating environmental impacts of zinc mining.
Zinc recycling feedstocks
Globally, about 60% of global zinc production is used to galvanize steel to prevent corrosion, a critical process for the durability of steel in building, construction, and infrastructure projects. The stock of zinc in products in use, estimated at 247 Mt in 2019, is projected to double to 490 Mt by 2050, creating a vast reservoir of recyclable material.
Globally, over 80% of the zinc available for recycling is recycled, and in western Europe, end-of-life recycling rates for rolled zinc used in building applications exceed 95%, with some countries like France achieving rates as high as 98%. The enforcement of regulations promoting circularity has led to a significant increase in zinc recycling over the past several decades, with recycled zinc from crude oxide sources doubling, even as primary zinc mining levels have remained relatively stable.
The pre-consumer zinc scrap share in total zinc scrap available for recycling is typically about 55% to 60% globally. This means that more than half of the zinc scrap recycled each year originates from manufacturing and fabrication processes rather than from end-of-life products.
Conversely, post-consumer zinc scrap makes up around 45% of the total recycled zinc scrap flow. Key feedstocks for post-consumer zinc scrap include zinc-containing materials leftover from end-of-life metal products such as old zinc sheets, roofing materials or household products.