Recycling
Rolled zinc is 100% recyclable. Used rolled zinc recovered during renovations or demolitions retains the very same composition it had when it was installed.
Rolled zinc is not just 100% recyclable, 98% of it is effectively recycled in France (12) and over 95% in western Europe (13)!
Used rolled zinc recovered during renovations or demolitions retains the very same composition it had when it was installed. It remains a highly pure zinc with a high market value at a more attractive price than that of primary zinc listed on the London Metal Exchange.
This is why, for several decades now, used rolled zinc has been a popular material with industries that use secondary zinc, such as steel galvanisation, brass production or zinc oxide production. It is not recycled for the production of new rolled zinc.
So the recovery and recycling of used rolled zinc is organised in a structured, efficient manner that makes it possible to achieve the highest recycling rates in the building industry.
The annual quantity of rolled zinc recovered in Europe is estimated to be 100,000 tons (14). Given that the zinc content of the ore is between 5 and 12 %, recycling of used rolled zinc makes it possible to save between 1 and 2 million tons of mining resources!
Source: Rezinal 2014
(12) Recycling of rolled zinc – Report by the i+c Institute – 2011
(13) Recycling Fact sheet – IZA
(14) A documenter.
Ease of disassembly
At the end of its life, rolled zinc products in building applications have traditionally been recovered by installers. Old zinc is mainly collected from building renovation work, such as the replacement of rainwater systems or a whole roof, or less often from the demolition of an old building. Taking into account the quantity of rolled zinc used in building applications in Western Europe, old rolled zinc resources are estimated at over 100,000 tons/year, mainly concentrated in France, Germany and Benelux. Due to high purchase prices and widespread and stable uses for this type of scrap material in Europe, the annual resource will remain at least at current levels for the next decade or longer.
Advantageous price
Zinc scrap prices are significantly lower than the London Metal Exchange (LME) price for pure zinc ingots.
The main users for old rolled zinc products are secondary zinc refiners, brass and oxide producers, all located in Europe. Although 100 % of the recovered old zinc (or resource) is recyclable, in reality the recovery rate is currently at least 95% of the resource.
Surface Finishes
VMZINC is an elegant partner for many building materials. Available in 10 pre-weathered finishes as well as mill finish Natural Zinc. Highly flexible, malleable and durable. Zinc can be embossed, perforated and incorporate texture helping to create imaginative designs