On January 21, 2026, at the MRAI (Material Recycling Association of India) International Conference held in Jaipur, India, a panel discussion was conducted to discuss the outlook of the zinc recycling industry. Major industry players such as Bluglance Consulting, Hindalco, JG Chemicals, Aurubis AG, and Bhagyanagar India Limited took the stage, and lively discussions were held on the definition of sustainability, the supply–demand gap unique to the Indian market, and the robustness of the secondary zinc market growing faster than the GDP growth rate.
1. Definition of “Green Zinc” and the Narrow Gate to Sustainability
At the beginning of the conference, the complexity of sustainability in the zinc industry was emphasized. The speakers pointed out that balancing social, environmental, and economic aspects is a difficult task, likened to passing through a very narrow window.
In particular, the following points became the center of discussion:
- Need for green certification:
In green building certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), demand for environmentally friendly materials is rapidly increasing. - Ambiguity of definitions:
There is a need for clear standards and harmonization on whether recycled zinc is automatically considered “green,” or whether refining using renewable energy is required. - Superiority of carbon footprint:
While the carbon footprint of primary zinc production is approximately 3.3 kg, recycled zinc is only 0.58 kg, demonstrating with data the overwhelming advantage of recycled zinc in a decarbonized society.
2. Uniqueness of the Indian Market: Raw Material Shortages and Deep Ties with Agriculture
The Indian zinc market faces unique challenges that differ from the global context. This was a very interesting topic.
- Dependence on imports:
It was reported that India chronically lacks zinc raw materials (scrap, parts, zinc-containing waste) domestically and is heavily dependent on imports from Europe and North America. - Zinc deficiency in soil:
As a surprising point, it was noted that approximately 50% of India’s soil is zinc-deficient. This affects the nutritional value of crops and directly links to national public health issues, making zinc demand for fertilizer use (such as zinc sulfate) extremely important.
3. Recycling Technology and Growth Rates Surpassing Global Standards
India’s recycling sector is transforming from a simple waste treatment industry into a high-tech industry.
- Modernization of facilities:
While many recycling facilities around the world are 20–40 years old, many of India’s major plants have been built within the past 5–10 years and are equipped with the latest environmental technologies (such as Zero Liquid Discharge). - Utilization of steel dust (EAF dust):
Particularly in South India, business models are being established to recover zinc from steel dust generated during steel manufacturing processes, becoming a supply source on the scale of tens of thousands of tons per year. - Growth exceeding GDP:
Despite volatility in zinc prices, India’s secondary zinc sector has recorded an average annual growth rate of approximately 18% over the past 5–10 years, significantly outperforming India’s GDP growth rate.
4. Challenges and Opportunities: Quality Gap in Automotive Steel Sheets
A future growth driver highlighted was the raising of galvanization (anti-corrosion) standards in the automotive industry.
Currently, the adoption rate of galvanized steel sheets (anti-corrosion body rate) in vehicles for the domestic Indian market remains at around 15–16%, while export vehicles of the same models are almost 100% galvanized. This dual quality standard exists. The speakers expressed the view that it is inevitable that Indian consumers will demand the same corrosion-resistant quality as export markets, and this will become a huge potential market for zinc demand in the future.
5. Conclusion
Through the panel discussion, it was confirmed that while India’s zinc recycling industry faces challenges such as raw material procurement and alloy complexity, it is strongly supported by infrastructure development, agricultural demand, and improvements in automotive industry quality.
Amid the global trend toward decarbonization, India is expected to play a central role in the global secondary zinc market by leveraging highly transparent carbon footprint reporting and advanced recycling technologies.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Based on the content mentioned at the conference and related information, the zinc recycling technologies adopted by specific Indian companies will be explained in detail.
The following three companies (and related projects) are mainly driving technological innovation in zinc recycling in India.
1. JG Chemicals Ltd.
This is the company led by Mr. Anirudh Jhunjhunwala, who spoke at the conference, and is India’s largest zinc oxide manufacturer.
Core technology: Advanced French Process
- Overview:
While adopting the traditional “French Process,” which involves vaporizing zinc and oxidizing it, their notable point is that they use secondary zinc (scrap, dross, ash) for the majority of their raw materials (approximately 73%–100%). - Technological advantage:
Through proprietary refining technology, they can produce high-purity zinc oxide suitable for use in tires and pharmaceuticals, even from scrap containing many impurities.
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology
- Overview:
In the process of treating zinc ash and converting it into zinc sulfate (for fertilizer and chemical use), they have introduced a “complete no-effluent system (ZLD)” that discharges no wastewater at all. - Environmental contribution:
This minimizes environmental impact while supplying zinc, an important micronutrient, as agricultural fertilizer.
2. Global Steel Dust (GSD) / Steel Dust Recycling
The case mentioned at the conference of “producing 36,000 tons of recycled zinc in South India” is believed to refer to the technology of Global Steel Dust (or similar EAF dust recycling businesses) operating in Tamil Nadu and other regions.
Core technology: Waelz Kiln Technology
- Overview:
This is a technology for recycling hazardous “steelmaking dust (EAF dust)” discharged from electric arc furnaces (EAF) of steel manufacturers. - Process:
The dust is heated to around 1200°C together with a carbon reductant in a large rotary kiln, causing zinc to volatilize and be recovered as Waelz oxide (crude zinc oxide). - Significance:
This technology turns hazardous waste that was previously landfilled into a resource, and serves as an important supply source to compensate for India’s zinc raw material shortage.
3. Gravita India
The most likely candidate for the “Company G” mentioned in the conference record, in the context of “only Company G has started producing alloys,” is Gravita India, one of India’s largest recycling companies.
Core technology: Turnkey solutions and alloying technology
- Overview:
Known for recycling lead, aluminum, and plastics, the company has recently been focusing on zinc recycling and possesses technology to manufacture not only simple remelted zinc but also high value-added zinc alloys (such as Zamak alloys for die casting). - Features:
The company designs and manufactures its own recycling plants (turnkey solutions) and has established efficient metal recovery processes using rotary furnaces and refining kettles.
4. Bhagyanagar India Limited
This is the company of Mr. Devendra Surana, who spoke at the conference.
Technology and business domains:
- Rather than recycling technology itself, the company has strengths in advanced processing and application of copper and zinc products.
- In particular, it manufactures communication cables for infrastructure, galvanized wires, and components for solar power generation (solar flat plate collectors), embodying the application of zinc to infrastructure and green energy emphasized at the conference.
Summary: Technology Trends in India
India’s zinc recycling technology is evolving from simple melting toward the following directions:
- Diversification of raw materials:
Recovery not only from pure scrap but also from EAF dust and low-grade zinc ash (GSD, JG Chemicals). - High value addition:
Conversion to zinc oxide and special alloys (JG Chemicals, Gravita). - Reduction of environmental impact:
Introduction of ZLD (no effluent) systems and European-standard emission gas controls.
These technologies form the pillars supporting the reduction of import dependence and sustainability discussed at the conference.
(IRUNIVERSE Yuji Tanamachi & Rohini)
