How does the rolled zinc recycling market work?
Rolled zinc recycling is a traditional market in Western Europe where old rolled zinc is recovered during light building renovation work such as the replacement of rainwater systems or from bigger renovation projects such as the replacement of a roof and, occasionally, the demolition of an old building. Systematic collection is facilitated by the ease of dismantling old products, the existence of a large local network of buyers and an advantageous purchase price. In fact, the long-term trend for the price of old zinc is relatively constant and equal to 60 to 75% of the London Metal Exchange price for pure zinc ingots. The main users of old rolled zinc products are secondary zinc refiners (56%), zinc oxide producers (35%) and brass producers (5%), all located in Europe. This recovered zinc cannot be reused to make rolled zinc: very pure (99.995%, therefore with a maximum of 0.005% impurities) primary zinc is required to make rolled zinc.
