- LME zinc prices rise w-o-w, shaping domestic tags
- Steady procurement supports zinc oxide prices
India’s zinc scrap and dross market witnessed upward movement this week, with prices strengthening on sustained demand from local processors. BigMint assessed zinc diecast scrap (Middle East origin) at $2,310/tonne (t) CFR west coast India, up by $15/t w-o-w, amid steady inquiry levels.
Zinc dross was assessed at INR 236,000/t ex-Delhi, up by INR 7,000/t w-o-w, marking a four-month high since BigMint’s assessments began. In Mumbai, prices also strengthened to INR 230,000/t ex-works, supported by ongoing demand from local processors.
At the time of reporting, London Metal Exchange (LME) zinc prices stood at $2,917/t, up by $44/t from $2,873/t last week.
According to traders, zinc oxide (99% Zn) prices rose by INR 4,000/t to INR 225,000/t ex-Delhi, as procurement from sectors such as ceramics, rubber, and fertiliser manufacturing gained momentum.
In north India, big-sized zinc scrap (Tukdi, 97% Zn) was offered at around INR 235,000-236,000/t ex-Delhi, while mid-sized Tukdi (97–98% Zn) held at INR 222,000-224,000/t. Actual buying interest for mid-sized Tukdi was mostly heard around INR 220,000/t, reflecting resistance to higher offers.
Zinc ash auctions
Several zinc ash auctions are scheduled for 18 September 2025:
- SAIL’s Rourkela Steel Plant will auction 28 t at 3 PM through an online forward auction.
- Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur Tube Division will auction 30 t at 12:30 PM via rank-based dynamic sealed bidding.
- KPIL’s Gandhinagar plant will auction 60 t at 3 PM through an English no-ties dynamic rank-based sealed bidding.
Outlook
Zinc scrap and dross prices are expected to remain supported in the near term, driven by steady consumption from local processors and active procurement from end-user industries. However, resistance to higher prices and cautious buying may cap sharp gains. LME price trends and global trade flows will remain key indicators for market movement in the coming weeks.
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