What do you currently get for a kilo of zinc?
Depending on the type, quantity sold and degree of purity, the price of zinc is between 1 and 2.50 euros per kilo.
In our table you will find the current zinc prices in euros per kilo.
Table of current scrap prices for zinc
| Art | Average price per kilo in euros |
|---|---|
| Zinc (new) | 1.72 euros/kg* |
| Zinc (old) | 1.53 euros/kg* |
* Prices depend on quantity and location. There is a possibility that larger quantities can potentially achieve higher prices.
What influences the prices of zinc scrap?
According to the Zinc Initiative Half of the global demand for zinc comes from the steel industry. Zinc is used in large quantities as corrosion protection in steel production.
Due to its great dependence on the steel industry, the zinc industry also feels the impact when demand for steel on the global market declines. If the price of steel falls, the price of zinc will also fall.
The demand for brass, which mainly consists of copper and zinc, also influences the current zinc price.
Price development for zinc in recent years
In 2015, the zinc industry's strong dependence on the steel industry became apparent: due to the global decline in construction activity, there was an oversupply of steel on the global market.
The resulting reduction in steel prices was also visible in the zinc industry, as zinc prices fell by 10.6 percent in 2015.
In 2017, zinc prices rose by almost 40 percent as demand for steel for the automotive industry increased sharply in China and India.
The Corona crisis had only a minor impact on zinc prices.
As the global economy recovers, zinc prices climbed above the 3 euro mark in 2022 due to high demand.
Currently, the increased energy costs are primarily having an impact on the zinc price. Some European producers of primary zinc had to close their factories because the energy-intensive production was no longer viable.
Together with the increasing demand for zinc due to the switch to renewable energy, there are always shortages in the market, causing daily prices for zinc to fluctuate significantly.
In the future, it will become increasingly important to recycle large amounts of zinc in order to avoid the high energy costs of producing new zinc.
Therefore, scrap zinc is already a sought-after raw material that can be sold to scrap dealers at good prices.
Overview of zinc prices from 2014
| Year | Average price per kilo in euros |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1.97 euros/kg |
| 2015 | 1.76 euros/kg |
| 2016 | 1.90 euros/kg |
| 2017 | 2.63 euros/kg |
| 2018 | 2.66 euros/kg |
| 2019 | 2.32 euros/kg |
| 2020 | 2.06 euros/kg |
| 2021 | 2.73 euros/kg |
| 2022 | 3.17 euros/kg |
| 2023 | 2.55 euros/kg |
| 2024* | 2.46 euros/kg |
* Forecast
How much money do I get for zinc from a scrap dealer?
Basically, zinc scrap is divided into the categories “new” and “old”. The zinc prices for clean, new zinc scrap are higher than for old zinc.
Overview of the different types of scrap
New zinc scrap
This type of scrap is produced in zinc processing companies, for example in the form of sprues or as offcuts during zinc sheet production. Craftsmen also have excess lengths of gutters or sections of sheet metal left over that can be turned into money as zinc scrap.
Scrap zinc
Although zinc sheets on the roof and facade, as well as zinc rain gutters, last for over a hundred years, they will eventually become obsolete.
When buildings are demolished or converted, these valuable raw materials should not end up in the trash, but rather be recycled through a scrap dealer.
Old zinc should contain as little iron and other foreign components as possible. However, a small amount of build-up from grease or roofing felt residues is usually not a problem.
Brass scrap
Brass is an alloy made up of copper and zinc. In secondary zinc smelting plants, the zinc contained in brass is processed into secondary zinc and returned to the recycling cycle.
You can find out more about brass scrap on the current page brass prices.
Steel scrap with an adhering galvanized layer
Modern recycling processes can be used to separate the zinc contained in steel scrap from the steel. To do this, the steel scrap is melted down at very high temperatures. The adhering zinc layer evaporates and can thus be separated from the steel.
You can read more about the recycling process of steel on the current subpage steel prices.
How do I recognize zinc?
Zinc is bluish-white in color and can be easily deformed. Fresh zinc has a silvery shine. If zinc has already oxidized in air, it becomes dull.
Because zinc looks similar to the heavy metal Lead, zinc parts should be tested for lead using a test pen available from specialist retailers.
Where is zinc used?
The base metal is used primarily in the steel industry to protect iron and steel from corrosion. Hot-dip galvanizing creates a protective patina, which significantly increases the service life of steel components. Hot-dip galvanized steel is used, for example, in the automotive industry.
The construction industry also benefits from the light, durable material: numerous roofs are covered with thin sheets made of titanium zinc. Zinc is also a popular material for downpipes, gutters, decorative strips and window panels.
Zinc can also be found in batteries and as a negative electrode in rechargeable batteries.
Our body also needs zinc as a trace element. That's why zinc is added to many dietary supplements.
