India’s zinc consumption to rise to over 2 mn tonnes in next 10 years

Sub: Geo

Sec: Eco geo

Context:

Details:

India’s zinc consumption is expected to increase from 1.1 million tonnes to over 2 million tonnes in the next 10 years.
India’s current zinc consumption (1.1 million tonnes) already exceeds its production.

Focus Areas for Growth:
- Automotive Industry: International Zinc Association (IZA) is working to increase the use of galvanized steel in Indian automobiles.
- Construction: Efforts are underway to establish standards for galvanized rebar in India.
- Galvanized rebar is the new material that results after steel rods or wires are hot-dipped into zinc to create a protective coating. This coating protects the steel itself from the elements, making it stronger and more resistant to erosion.
Global Trends:
- Zinc demand is expected to grow by 43% in solar power applications globally.
- The wind energy sector is set to double by 2030.
- Energy storage solutions are projected to increase seven-fold over the next five years.
India’s Potential:
- As the world’s fastest-growing economy, India is seeing increased zinc consumption in critical sectors.
- The steel production and rapid infrastructure growth present significant opportunities for zinc use.
- Incorporating zinc in infrastructure can reduce annual corrosion costs, which currently account for nearly 5% of India’s GDP.

Zinc College 2024 event:

The projection was shared by the International Zinc Association (IZA), at the Zinc College 2024 event.
Zinc College is organised every two years by the International Zinc Association (IZA) in partnership with a member company.
Hindustan Zinc Ltd is the partner of Zinc College 2024.

About Zinc:

Zinc is a naturally occurring metallic element that plays a crucial role in various industries and human health.
It is known for its corrosion resistance, malleability, and ductility.
Zinc is an essential trace mineral for humans, involved in numerous biological processes.

Global Zinc Production:

The global zinc market produces about 13.5 million tonnes annually.
Global average per capita zinc use is 4-5 times higher than India’s.
In the automotive sector, 90-95% of global production uses galvanized steel, compared to only 23% in India.
Major Producers: China, Peru, Australia, and India are the leading zinc producers globally.
Production Methods: The primary methods for zinc production are:
- Pyrometallurgical Process: This involves roasting zinc concentrate to produce zinc oxide, followed by smelting to extract metallic zinc.
- Hydrometallurgical Process: This method involves leaching zinc from ore with an acid solution and then extracting zinc from the solution through electrolysis.

Zinc Production in India:

Significance: India is a major zinc producer and consumer, contributing significantly to the global market.
Production Regions: Zinc production in India is concentrated in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Domestic Consumption: India’s domestic zinc consumption is driven by various industries, including galvanizing, brass and zinc alloys, and zinc-based chemicals.
Imports and Exports: India both imports and exports zinc and zinc products to meet domestic demand and supply requirements.

Source: BS