Zinc Scrap Market

USD 15.7 billion in 2026 to USD 25.1 billion by 2036 at a 4.8% CAGR.

• The Zinc Scrap Market reached USD 15.0 billion in 2025.
• Demand is projected to increase from USD 15.7 billion in 2026 to USD 25.1 billion by 2036.
• The market is projected to expand at a 4.8% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

What are the defining numbers behind Zinc Scrap Market growth?

An absolute opportunity of USD 9.4 billion is expected between 2026 and 2036.

• Demand Drivers in the Market
  • Manufacturing and fabrication operations generate zinc-bearing offcuts, rejects, drosses and machining residues with known process origin. These streams can be segregated before they are mixed with end-of-life material, giving recyclers more predictable chemistry and reducing the cost of grading feedstock for remelting or refining.
  • Recycling of galvanized steel creates a recurring zinc-bearing secondary stream. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that secondary zinc feed in the United States includes galvanizing residues and crude zinc oxide recovered from electric arc furnace dust. Growth in steel scrap processing therefore expands the pool of material from which zinc can be recovered.
  • Secondary zinc producers provide a defined outlet for scrap and residues. The International Lead and Zinc Study Group classifies secondary refined zinc as metal produced from scrap, fabrication wastes, residues and zinc recovered from steel-plant flue dust, linking scrap collection directly with refined-metal production.
  • Circular-economy programs are pushing more metal back into formal collection and processing systems. International Zinc Association work on zinc circularity shows established end-of-life recovery in Europe and North America and continued development of recovery routes for galvanized steel residues, supporting broader scrap recycling capacity.
  • Better sorting, size reduction and separation allow processors to accept a wider mix of zinc-bearing material while protecting downstream furnace and leaching performance. The UK Environment Agency explicitly recognizes sorting, grading, shearing, baling and crushing as scrap-metal recovery operations, illustrating the practical role of mechanical preparation before metal recovery.
• Key Segments Analyzed
  • Post-Industrial Zinc Scrap accounts for 36.8% of Product in 2026 because manufacturing scrap has a known origin, can be segregated at the point of generation and usually requires less collection effort than dispersed end-of-life material.
  • Secondary Zinc Production represents 74.6% of Application in 2026 as zinc-bearing scrap and residues are principally valued as feedstock for smelters and refiners producing marketable secondary zinc.
  • Metal Recycling Companies hold 42.7% of End Use in 2026 because they aggregate, grade and pre-process material from industrial and end-of-life sources before sale to refiners, alloy producers and galvanizers.
  • Mechanical Processing Technology accounts for 58.3% of Technology in 2026 because sorting, separation and scrap preparation are required across a broad range of zinc-bearing feedstocks before thermal or hydrometallurgical recovery.
  • High Purity Recovery Systems hold 67.8% of Formulation in 2026 because downstream zinc refining, chemical production and alloy manufacturing depend on impurity control and consistent recovered-metal quality.
  • Direct Industrial Procurement represents 33.9% of Distribution Channel in 2026 because recurring process scrap supports direct supply agreements between generators, recyclers and refiners without requiring every load to pass through multiple trading layers.
• Analyst Opinion at Fact.MR
  • Shambhu Nath Jha, Principal Consultant, Fact.MR, states, “Zinc scrap economics depend on how well the material is identified before it reaches the recovery plant. Clean manufacturing scrap can move quickly into remelting or refining, while galvanized steel residues and mixed post-consumer streams require stronger separation and impurity control. Suppliers that combine reliable collection with assay discipline, mechanical preparation and access to suitable refining routes are better positioned to convert a wider range of zinc-bearing waste into consistent secondary feedstock.”
• Strategic Implications
  • Recyclers should secure recurring supply agreements with galvanizers, die casters, fabricators and metal processors because segregated process scrap improves feedstock predictability and plant utilization.
  • Processors should invest in grading, assay and traceability at intake so high-zinc material is directed to the recovery route that preserves the most value rather than being blended into lower-value mixed scrap.
  • Smelters and refiners can widen feedstock acceptance by combining mechanical preparation with pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical routes suited to drosses, EAF dust, alloys and mixed residues.
  • Buyers should evaluate current ownership, operating status and recovery footprint when qualifying suppliers because several historical zinc-recycling brands now sit within larger groups or have changed legal status.

The market is segmented by Product, Application, End Use, Technology, Formulation and Distribution Channel.

Why does Post-Industrial Zinc Scrap lead Product?

Post-Industrial Zinc Scrap is projected to account for a 36.8% share in 2026.

Post-industrial material leads because it is generated inside controlled manufacturing processes. Fabrication offcuts, rejected components and process residues can be kept separate by alloy or production line, which reduces uncertainty over coatings, attachments and contamination when compared with mixed end-of-life scrap.

The International Zinc Association notes that zinc die-casting operations routinely recycle most process scrap, while Germany’s Umweltbundesamt distinguishes new scrap generated during production from old scrap recovered after product use. These closed-loop characteristics favor direct collection and support the broader galvanized steel and metal-processing value chain.

Why does Secondary Zinc Production lead Application?

Secondary Zinc Production is projected to account for a 74.6% share in 2026.

Secondary zinc production is the principal application because scrap has to be converted back into a usable zinc-bearing output before it can re-enter most downstream manufacturing. Refiners can combine scrap with residues, drosses and other secondary materials, then remove impurities to produce metal or zinc-bearing intermediates suitable for further processing.

ILZSG defines secondary zinc as refined zinc produced from scrap materials and fabrication residues, including zinc recovered from steel-plant flue dust. The USGS likewise identifies galvanizing residues and crude zinc oxide recovered from electric arc furnace dust as secondary feed in the United States. Smaller application routes include alloy production, galvanizing and chemical manufacture, where recovered material can also enter zinc oxide value chains.

Why do Metal Recycling Companies lead End Use?

Metal Recycling Companies are projected to account for a 42.7% share in 2026.

Metal recycling companies lead because zinc-bearing scrap rarely reaches a smelter in a uniform condition. Recyclers consolidate loads from factories, demolition, metal merchants and product take-back channels, then separate ferrous attachments, grade alloys and prepare material to meet buyer specifications.

This intermediary role is especially important for mixed and post-consumer streams. The UK Environment Agency recognizes sorting, grading, shearing, baling and crushing as normal scrap-recovery activities, showing why collection and pre-processing businesses sit at the center of commercial metal recovery flows.

Why does Mechanical Processing Technology lead Technology?

Mechanical Processing Technology is projected to account for a 58.3% share in 2026.

Mechanical processing leads because scrap preparation is required before most thermal or aqueous recovery routes. Size reduction, separation and cleaning improve handling, remove unwanted attachments and create a more consistent feed fraction for furnaces, leaching circuits or alloy remelting.

The technology also scales across several source types. Clean fabrication scrap may require only cutting and grading, while galvanized or mixed post-consumer material may need shredding, magnetic separation and additional sorting. This broad applicability gives mechanical systems a wider operating base than a single downstream recovery chemistry.

Why do High Purity Recovery Systems lead Formulation?

High Purity Recovery Systems are projected to account for a 67.8% share in 2026.

High-purity systems lead because the value of recovered zinc depends on whether downstream users can control iron, lead, aluminum, copper and other impurities. Refining and purification configurations give processors more flexibility to convert variable scrap into material suitable for refined zinc, chemical compounds or controlled alloy production.

Purity requirements become more important as recyclers accept residues such as EAF dust, galvanizing dross and mixed alloys rather than only clean metallic scrap. Process control therefore supports both yield and marketability by matching recovered output with the specification of the next buyer.

Why does Direct Industrial Procurement lead Distribution Channel?

Direct Industrial Procurement is projected to account for a 33.9% share in 2026.

Direct industrial procurement leads because manufacturing scrap is generated repeatedly at known sites. Refiners and recycling companies can contract directly with galvanizers, die casters and fabricators for scheduled collection, reducing the number of handoffs and preserving information about material origin.

Direct relationships also make it easier to set segregation rules, container standards, assay procedures and price formulas. Dealers and commodity traders remain important for fragmented post-consumer material and cross-border balancing, but recurring industrial streams are well suited to closed-loop or contracted procurement.

More formal recovery of manufacturing scrap, galvanized steel residues and zinc-bearing industrial wastes is expanding available feedstock, while better sorting and refining improve the value recovered from mixed material. Growth is restrained by contamination, variable zinc content, fragmented collection, metal-price swings and the permitting requirements associated with dusts, residues and thermal processing.

Drivers Impact Analysis

Opportunity Impact Analysis

Restraints Impact Analysis

• Germany: Established separation of new and old zinc scrap, a large metal-processing base and secondary-production routes support steady movement of manufacturing residues and end-of-life material back into refining and recycling.
• Brazil: Galvanized steel provides a technically recoverable zinc stream, while national waste controls recognize zinc scrap, zinc ash, residues and galvanizing dross as distinct metal-bearing waste categories that can move through regulated recovery channels.
• USA: Secondary zinc smelters and recyclers recover zinc from galvanizing residues and crude zinc oxide produced from electric arc furnace dust, linking steel recycling activity with zinc recovery.
• UK: A formal scrap-metal permitting and exemption framework covers zinc waste and common pre-processing steps such as sorting, grading, shearing, baling and crushing, supporting organized collection and preparation.
• Japan: Integrated smelting and recycling complexes can recover zinc alongside other valuable metals from secondary materials, while established handling rules distinguish zinc ash, residues and galvanizing dross for recovery and trade control.

Country CAGR (2026-2036)

What is driving Germany's growth through 2036?

Germany is forecast to expand at a 5.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

Germany has an established zinc-recycling base built around both production scrap and end-of-life material. The German Environment Agency distinguishes new scrap generated during industrial processing from old scrap recovered after use and describes secondary zinc production as an important pathway for returning these streams to metal production.

This structure favors direct collection from galvanizers, fabricators and alloy processors while also supporting more complex recovery from mixed material. The ability to segregate scrap before refining improves feed quality and creates a practical base for higher-purity recovery systems over the forecast period.

What is driving Brazil's growth through 2036?

Brazil is forecast to expand at a 5.0% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

Brazilian technical research from CETEM has identified galvanized steel scrap as a recoverable zinc source and describes mechanical separation, selective melting and leaching as routes for recovering zinc from coated steel. This is relevant because zinc applied to steel can otherwise migrate into electric arc furnace dust during steel recycling.

Brazilian environmental controls also identify zinc scrap, zinc ash, zinc-bearing residues and several galvanizing dross streams within controlled waste classifications. Clearer handling categories support formal aggregation and shipment of zinc-bearing material to recyclers rather than disposal or uncontrolled mixing.

What is driving USA's growth through 2036?

The USA is forecast to expand at a 4.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

The U.S. zinc recycling system already connects steelmaking residues with secondary zinc production. The USGS states that refined zinc is recovered from secondary materials at both primary and secondary smelters and identifies galvanizing residues and crude zinc oxide recovered from electric arc furnace dust as key feedstocks.

This gives recyclers an established outlet for zinc-bearing residues generated by steel mini-mills and galvanizing operations. Continued investment in preparation, dust processing and refinery integration can therefore increase recovery without relying only on clean metallic scrap.

What is driving UK's growth through 2036?

The UK is forecast to expand at a 4.1% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

The UK scrap system benefits from a defined regulatory route for storing and treating zinc waste. The Environment Agency’s T9 exemption includes zinc under waste code 17 04 04 and allows sorting, grading, shearing, baling, crushing and cutting within specified operating conditions.

These rules support the commercial pre-processing steps needed to turn small, mixed loads into material that can be transported efficiently and sold against recycler or smelter specifications. More consistent grading also helps separate higher-value zinc-bearing streams from general mixed metal scrap.

What is driving Japan's growth through 2036?

Japan is forecast to expand at a 3.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

Japan has integrated smelting and recycling infrastructure capable of treating complex secondary materials. A Japan Partnership for Circular Economy case on DOWA Holdings describes a large-scale smelting and recycling complex that recovers around 20 valuable metals, including zinc, from ores, residues and recyclable materials.

This integrated model is useful for zinc scrap because mixed residues often contain several metals and cannot be valued through zinc content alone. Established recovery expertise allows processors to route complex feeds through smelting, purification and by-product recovery rather than limiting the market to clean scrap remelting.

Key players in the Zinc Scrap Market include Korea Zinc Co., Ltd., Grillo-Werke AG, Boliden AB, Recylex S.A., DOWA Holdings / Akita Zinc, American Zinc Recycling Corp. (AZR), Befesa S.A., Recytech (Befesa Recytech), Pedalpoint Holdings (Korea Zinc), Sims Metal Management Ltd., A C Metalloys, Metalloys Recycling Ltd. (MRL), Frank Metals, CoreZinc and Ritzee Recycling Pvt. Ltd.

Competition is shaped by access to zinc-bearing industrial residues, collection density, scrap-preparation capability, smelting and refining integration, impurity control and the ability to maintain reliable offtake relationships. Integrated metal producers can process a wider mix of EAF dust, galvanizing residues and complex secondary materials, while independent recyclers compete on sourcing, segregation, logistics and grade consistency.

Current ownership status is important when reading the competitive set. Befesa acquired American Zinc Recycling Corp. in 2021 and subsequently renamed the business Befesa Zinc US. Sims Metal Management Limited changed its corporate name to Sims Limited in 2019. Recylex S.A. entered judicial liquidation proceedings in 2022. Korea Zinc identifies Pedalpoint Holdings as its wholly owned U.S. recycling holding company. These changes mean supplier comparisons should focus on operating assets and current group ownership rather than treating every historical name as a separate active platform.

Befesa is represented both directly and through Recytech, while Korea Zinc is represented both as the parent company and through Pedalpoint Holdings. For buyers, the practical differentiators are feedstock access, permitted processing capacity, recovery yield, assay discipline and the ability to place recovered zinc into refined metal, alloy or chemical outlets.

Korea Zinc Co., Ltd., Grillo-Werke AG, Boliden AB, Recylex S.A., DOWA Holdings / Akita Zinc, American Zinc Recycling Corp. (AZR), Befesa S.A., Recytech (Befesa Recytech), Pedalpoint Holdings (Korea Zinc), Sims Metal Management Ltd., A C Metalloys, Metalloys Recycling Ltd. (MRL), Frank Metals, CoreZinc and Ritzee Recycling Pvt. Ltd.

• Korea Zinc Co., Ltd.
• Grillo-Werke AG
• Boliden AB
• Recylex S.A.
• DOWA Holdings / Akita Zinc
• American Zinc Recycling Corp. (AZR)
• Befesa S.A.
• Recytech (Befesa Recytech)
• Pedalpoint Holdings (Korea Zinc)
• Sims Metal Management Ltd.
• A C Metalloys
• Metalloys Recycling Ltd. (MRL)
• Frank Metals
• CoreZinc
• Ritzee Recycling Pvt. Ltd.

• International Lead and Zinc Study Group. (2026). Official Definitions. ILZSG.
• U.S. Geological Survey. (2026). Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Zinc. U.S. Geological Survey.
• Umweltbundesamt. (2019). Zink. German Environment Agency.
• Centro de Tecnologia Mineral. (2017). Recuperacao de zinco de sucata de aco galvanizado. CETEM, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Brazil.
• Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renovaveis. (2024). Lista de residuos controlados sob a Convencao da Basileia. IBAMA.
• Environment Agency. (2025). T9: Recovering scrap metal. Government of the United Kingdom.
• Ministry of the Environment, Japan. (2021). Recovering various types of valuable metals by a large-scale smelting and recycling complex. Japan Partnership for Circular Economy.
• International Zinc Association. (2015). Zinc Recycling: Closing the Loop. International Zinc Association.
• Befesa S.A. (2021). Acquisition of American Zinc Recycling Corp. Befesa.
• Sims Limited. (2026). Shareholder Services. Sims Limited.
• Recylex S.A. (2022). Opening of judicial liquidation proceedings for Recylex S.A. Recylex.
• Korea Zinc Co., Ltd. (2026). Korea Zinc 2026 AGM Discussion Material. Korea Zinc.

• Which zinc-bearing scrap streams provide the most consistent feedstock for recovery?
• How do secondary zinc production, alloy manufacturing and galvanizing applications use recovered zinc?
• Which processing technologies improve the value of mixed or contaminated zinc scrap?
• How do country-level recycling systems influence collection, preparation and refinery demand?
• Which operating capabilities and ownership structures matter when qualifying zinc scrap suppliers?

The Zinc Scrap Market covers the commercial collection, purchase, preparation, processing and sale of zinc-bearing scrap across the specified Product categories. Revenue is counted where scrap or recovered zinc-bearing material is traded into the defined Applications through the stated End Use groups, Technologies, recovery-system Formulations and Distribution Channels.

The assessment covers post-industrial zinc scrap, post-consumer zinc scrap, zinc alloy scrap and galvanized zinc scrap, including the listed manufacturing, construction, consumer, die-casting, specialty-alloy, steel-coating and processing-residue subsegments.

What is included in the scope?

The scope includes zinc-bearing manufacturing scrap, fabrication scrap, construction and consumer-product scrap, zinc alloy scrap, galvanized steel-related zinc scrap and associated processing residues. It includes material directed into secondary refined zinc, zinc ingot production, die-casting and specialty alloys, galvanizing applications, zinc oxide and other zinc chemical production.

The analysis includes mechanical preparation, pyrometallurgical recovery, hydrometallurgical recovery and automated sorting, together with high-purity, alloy, integrated and modular recovery-system configurations. Commercial movement through direct industrial procurement, scrap dealers and aggregators, metal commodity traders and digital trading platforms is included when it relates to the defined zinc scrap streams.

What is excluded from the scope?

The scope excludes primary zinc ore, concentrates and virgin refined zinc sold without a secondary-material connection. General ferrous or non-ferrous scrap is excluded when zinc content is incidental and the material is not commercially handled as a zinc-bearing feedstock.

End-of-life products are not counted at their full product value. Only the zinc-bearing scrap or recovered material entering the specified recycling and downstream application chain is included. Standalone waste collection, demolition, transport and equipment sales are excluded unless their revenue is directly part of the zinc scrap transaction or processing service defined by the segmentation.

How Was the Analysis Built?

The analysis combines official zinc and scrap statistics, public waste and trade rules, company operating disclosures, technical recycling literature and primary research with scrap processors, zinc refiners, galvanizers, alloy producers and industrial procurement teams across Germany, Brazil, the USA, the UK and Japan.

• Primary Research: Interviews focus on scrap generation, collection terms, grading practices, assay methods, contamination limits, treatment charges, recovery yields, procurement routes and the operating factors that determine whether material is remelted, refined or sent through residue-recovery processes.
• Desk Research: The review covers zinc supply and recycling statistics, secondary-metal definitions, waste classifications, scrap-processing rules, company ownership changes, recycling technologies and country-specific evidence on galvanized steel, EAF dust, drosses and other zinc-bearing secondary materials. External sources used in the article are recorded in the bibliography.
• Market Sizing and Forecasting: Estimates combine zinc scrap generation by source, secondary-zinc demand, galvanized steel and die-casting activity, recovery yield, scrap pricing, collection efficiency, technology adoption and country-level recycling infrastructure. Segment shares and country growth rates are applied consistently throughout the assessment.
• Data Validation and Update Cycle: Findings are cross-checked against public zinc statistics, recycling regulations, company operating disclosures and interview feedback. Updates account for changes in zinc prices, scrap spreads, smelter capacity, waste rules, ownership, collection patterns and recovery technology.

• By Product:

  • Post-Industrial Zinc Scrap
    • Manufacturing Process Scrap
    • Fabrication Scrap
  • Post-Consumer Zinc Scrap
    • Construction Zinc Scrap
    • Consumer Product Scrap
  • Zinc Alloy Scrap
    • Die Casting Alloy Scrap
    • Specialty Alloy Scrap
  • Galvanized Zinc Scrap
    • Steel Coating Scrap
    • Processing Residue Scrap

• By Application:

  • Secondary Zinc Production
    • Refined Zinc Manufacturing
    • Zinc Ingot Production
  • Alloy Manufacturing
    • Die Casting Alloy Production
    • Specialty Alloy Production
  • Galvanizing Applications
    • Hot Dip Galvanizing
    • Electro Galvanizing
  • Chemical & Compound Production
    • Zinc Oxide Production
    • Zinc Chemical Manufacturing

• By End Use:

  • Metal Recycling Companies
    • Industrial Recycling Firms
    • Specialized Zinc Recyclers
  • Zinc Smelters & Refiners
    • Primary Refiners
    • Secondary Refiners
  • Alloy Manufacturers
    • Die Casting Producers
    • Specialty Alloy Producers
  • Galvanizing Companies
    • Construction Galvanizers
    • Industrial Galvanizers

• By Technology:

  • Mechanical Processing Technology
    • Scrap Preparation Systems
    • Separation Systems
  • Pyrometallurgical Recovery Technology
    • Smelting Systems
    • Thermal Recovery Systems
  • Hydrometallurgical Recovery Technology
    • Leaching Systems
    • Purification Systems
  • Automated Sorting Technology
    • Sensor Based Sorting
    • AI Enabled Sorting

• By Formulation:

  • High Purity Recovery Systems
    • Refining Configurations
    • Purification Configurations
  • Alloy Recovery Systems
    • Die Casting Recovery Configurations
    • Specialty Alloy Configurations
  • Integrated Recycling Systems
    • Collection & Processing Systems
    • End to End Recycling Systems
  • Modular Recovery Systems
    • Portable Processing Units
    • Scalable Recovery Platforms

• By Distribution Channel:

  • Direct Industrial Procurement
    • Refinery Procurement Channels
    • Manufacturer Procurement Channels
  • Scrap Dealers & Aggregators
    • Regional Scrap Networks
    • National Trading Networks
  • Metal Commodity Traders
    • Domestic Trading Companies
    • International Trading Companies
  • Digital Trading Platforms
    • B2B Scrap Marketplaces
    • Direct Supplier Platforms

• By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia and Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa