Galvanizing Sustainability

Recycling of Zinc

Zinc is the principal raw material in galvanizing. Zinc is an inherently recyclable non-ferrous metal.  It can be recycled indefinitely without any loss of physical or chemical properties. This is a major advantage for the Hot Dip Galvanizing process ensuring its environmental sustainability and its cost of effectiveness.

About 30% (3 million tonnes) of the world's zinc consumption is from recycled sources. A figure that is increasing with increased environmental awareness and improvements in recycling technology. Estimates suggest that 80% of zinc available for recycling is in fact recycled. This means that much of the zinc in use today has probably been used before.

In the galvanizing process, iron or steel articles are dipped into a bath containing molten zinc just above its melting point.  Any zinc that does not form a coating on the metal remains in the bath for further re-use. Galvanizing residues, which consist of dross - a mix of zinc and iron, and zinc ash, are recovered and zinc recycled for further use, often in the galvanizing process.
The presence of zinc coating on steel does not restrict its recyclability. Galvanized steel is recycled with other steel scrap in the steel production process; it volatilizes early in the process and is collected for reprocessing.

Our on-going close working relationship with Hegarty Metals Processors International Limited ensures that Zinc Processors Limited recycles as much material as possible in order to minimise our impact on the environment

Improvements in gas burner technology have also undoubtedly improved energy efficiency
in heating the galvanizing bath. Exhaust heat is not wasted and is used to heat pre-treatment chemicals or dry work prior to immersion. 

The galvanizing industry is committed to understanding and improving of the life-cycle environmental performance of its process and products. Galvanizers Association has recently helped establish a Pan-European Life Cycle Inventory database for general galvanizing. This will allow Environmental Product Declarations and other life cycle assessments to be made on structures involving galvanized steel.

Galvanizing and Sustainable Construction

Future technologies will be low energy, low waste. Galvanizing is a recyclable solution that reduces the energy demands of structures.

The pressures on global industry to accept environmental responsibility for its actions is wholly justified, given society's quest for sustainability.

The philosophy of sustainability is quite simple and is concerned with ensuring a better quality of life for everyone - now and, importantly, for generations to come. The concept is common sense based on substantial criteria and principles. It sets out to meet four objectives:

• Social progress, which recognises the needs of everyone.
• Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment .
• Efficient protection of the environment .
• Prudent use of natural resources.

In respect of efficient protection of the environment and prudent use of natural resources, the hot dip galvanizing process stands up to scrutiny and can be considered as a major contributor towards sustainable construction.