FAQs

Zinc has several notable benefits:

• Robustness: zinc is a durable material, capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions without rapidly degrading.
• Corrosion resistance: zinc boasts excellent corrosion protection, extending the life of products made from it.
• Dimensional accuracy: zinc parts can be produced with high precision, which is essential in various industrial sectors.
• Use in galvanisation: galvanising is a process of applying a layer of zinc to a metal surface (usually iron or steel) to protect against corrosion and improve product durability.
• Decorative appeal: zinc can be finished to an attractive standard, making it a popular choice for applications where appearance is important.

Zinc is widely used in various sectors:

• Automotive: used to coat parts to prevent corrosion.
• Construction: popular in roofing, guttering and exterior cladding for its durability and aesthetics.
• Electronics: used in electronic devices owing to its conductive properties and strength.
• Medals and coins: frequently used to manufacture medals and coins because of its malleability.
• Cosmetics: used for its robustness and suitability for surface treatment to manufacture elegant cosmetics bottles and accessories.

Zinc is fully recyclable, making it a sustainable material (see Genlis Metal Life Cycle Assessment):

• Recycling process: recovered zinc can be remelted and reused without significant loss of quality, which cuts down on wasted resources.
• Environmental impact: zinc recycling helps reduce carbon emissions and environmental footprint, promoting a circular economy.

Zinc supports sustainability in several ways:

• Durability: zinc does not need to be replaced often thanks to its strength and durability, reducing the demand for resources.
• Recyclability: zinc can be recycled repeatedly without losing its properties, reducing the need to extract new raw materials.
• Minimal environmental impact: zinc production has a well-managed environmental impact, especially when the material is recycled.

Zinc has a promising future thanks to its integration into various innovative sectors:

• Green technologies: zinc is being increasingly used in renewable energy applications, especially for batteries as a sustainable alternative to existing solutions.
• Innovation in construction: ongoing research into sustainable alloys and new architectural applications suggests that zinc could play a major role in environmentally responsible construction.
• Recycling awareness: promoting recycling and circularity will help increase the use of zinc in various areas.