Sekundärzink

Sekundärzink refers to zinc that is recovered and recycled from various waste streams and end-of-life products. This process is distinct from primary zinc production, which involves extracting zinc from newly mined ores. The main sources for secondary zinc include galvanized steel scrap, die-cast alloys, and zinc-containing ashes and residues from industrial processes.

The recycling of zinc offers significant environmental and economic benefits. It conserves natural resources by reducing the need for virgin ore extraction, which is an energy-intensive and environmentally impactful activity. Furthermore, recycling zinc requires considerably less energy compared to primary production, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Economically, secondary zinc production can be cost-effective, especially when raw material prices are high.

The recovery of zinc from scrap typically involves smelting processes. Depending on the type and purity of the input material, different pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical techniques can be employed. The recovered zinc can then be refined to various purity levels, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including galvanizing, brass production, and the manufacturing of zinc-based alloys. The increasing focus on circular economy principles is driving greater interest and investment in secondary zinc production.