At the International Conference on Galvanizing – Technology, Environment & Markets held on 5th-6th May 2025 in Nagpur, key industry leaders and institutions including ILZSG, ILZDA, HZL, IZA, and others highlighted the evolving landscape of zinc usage, galvanization potential, and zinc recovery innovations in India.
The event underscored the importance of galvanizing in infrastructure durability, zinc’s role in food and fertilizer security, and the strategic relevance of recycling in India’s metals value chain.
India at forefront of zinc demand growth
In a keynote by Joao Jorge, Director at ILZSG, India emerged as a standout performer in global zinc consumption. Zinc usage rose 8.8% in 2024 and is projected to grow at the same pace in 2025, far outpacing global growth of 1%. This expansion is driven by India’s infrastructure investments and sustained GDP growth. In contrast, mature markets like the US and Europe are seeing flat to declining zinc consumption.
Galvanizing’s long-term value
L. Pugazhenthy of ILZDA showcased iconic Indian infrastructure projects that utilized galvanized rebars, from the Lotus Temple (1985) to the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Mumbai high-rises. These cases reinforced galvanizing’s life-cycle cost benefits. Despite these examples, only ~7% of Indian steel is galvanized — significantly below global benchmarks — pointing to strong potential for domestic growth.
Domestic zinc production trends
HZL’s domestic zinc production grew from 715,000 t in FY’21 to 827,000 t in FY’25, despite a brief dip in FY’24. This reflects India’s ability to support rising domestic consumption, though raw material security and quality remain concerns for downstream users like fertilizer and galvanizing sectors.
Zinc fertilizer demand
Dr. Soumitra Das (IZA) emphasized the strategic potential of Zn-Ash, a galvanizing byproduct, in fertilizer production. Each tonne of Zn-Ash can yield up to 3 tonnes of zinc sulfate, critical for India’s agriculture. With only 1 lakh tonnes of Zn-Ash currently available, the shortfall is impeding zinc sulfate production. Raising galvanization levels and zinc coating standards (from 120 gsm to ~270 gsm) could address this bottleneck.
Zinc in auto galvanizing
Martin van Leeuwen, an expert, forecasted a 22% increase in zinc demand from the auto sector by 2030. The transition to high-strength steel in EVs and safety-focused vehicle designs will drive demand, with India’s auto industry (notably Maruti Suzuki) already targeting 100% galvanized bodies. China leads with 57% galvanized auto steel share; India stands at 22% with room to grow.
Price risk management
Vishwesh Deshmukh of MCX outlined the pivotal role of MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange), which commands a 97.84% share in India’s commodity futures market. The zinc value chain — from miners to recyclers — faces volatile prices and import dependencies. MCX’s hedging tools offer vital protection and planning for stakeholders exposed to input cost volatility.
Zinc recovery with Pyrotek’s MZR System
Santosh Kulkarni presented the Pyrotek MZR System, a thermo-mechanical solution for recovering zinc from ash and skimmings within galvanizing plants. The system melts free zinc, enabling ingot reuse and aligning with circular economy goals. Though limited to materials with ≤5% aluminum and not suitable for bottom dross, it significantly improves cash flow, zinc yield, and sustainability by cutting LME premium dependency.
Zinc demand
The global zinc demand outlook for 2025 shows a modest recovery of 1% following a 0.6% decline in 2024, according to IMF and ILZSG data. India leads with strong growth at 8.8% in both years, driven by infrastructure and industrial demand. In contrast, mature markets like the U.S. and Europe saw steep drops in 2024 (-7.9% and -5.6% respectively), with only slight rebounds expected in 2025. Japan and China also faced declines but are projected to recover moderately, signaling a cautiously optimistic global zinc demand landscape.
Outlook
India’s galvanized steel uptake is just 7% a policy shift to raise coating standards is urgent. Zn-ash must be tapped for zinc fertilizer needs. EVs and infrastructure will drive zinc demand, with OEM targets like Maruti’s full galvanization. Adopting MZR recovery technology can enhance sustainability, reduce waste, and improve cost-efficiency across India’s growing galvanizing and zinc ecosystem.
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