Zinc is everywhere. It is used in just about every industry as a protective coating against rust and corrosion. But it can also be found in baby lotion, sunscreen and IKEA furniture.
Guardrails, seagoing vessels, containers, pipelines: they are all protected by a zinc coating that extends their lifespan and reduces maintenance costs.
‘Trucks, vans and cars are also completely galvanised,’ says Martin van Leeuwen, director of technology and market development at the International Zinc Association (IZA). ‘Consumers expect at least 12-year anti-rust warranty for their new car bodies. This is impossible without a zinc coating. Every car tire also contains zinc. In total, 15 to 20 kilograms of zinc go into producing an average car.’
Daily contact
Everywhere we look there is zinc. ‘The shower tap in the bathroom, the coffee machine in the kitchen, the zipper in our winter coat, the holder for our razor and the cordless screwdriver in our toolbox: die-cast zinc parts allow for products that we use every day.’
In construction, we find zinc parts in key cylinders and in window and door fittings. ‘When assembling IKEA furniture, a lot of galvanised screws and clamps pass through our hands,’ Martin van Leeuwen says by way of illustration.
‘Zinc is also an important component of brass; an alloy of zinc and copper. Brass is used in piping, but also in lamps and musical instruments.’
In areas with a zinc deficiency in the soil, adding zinc to fertilisers can produce a 50 percent increase in crop yields.
Martin van Leeuwen,
Director of technology and market development at IZA
Baby lotion
So zinc is everywhere. In fact, we literally need it. ‘An adult person needs 12 to 15 milligrams of zinc per day to stay healthy and resistant to viruses. As a UV blocker in
sunscreens, zinc ensures that our skin does not burn. In baby lotion, zinc protects delicate baby skin against redness and irritation.’
Because we consume zinc through our diet, it’s important that animals and vegetables also absorb zinc through their feed. Because their food does not always contain sufficient zinc, zinc is added as a nutrient to animal feed and fertilisers. ‘In areas with a zinc deficiency in the soil, adding zinc to fertilisers can produce a 50 percent increase in crop yields.’
Less weight
What role will zinc play in the future? Martin van Leeuwen expects high demand for zinc for the generation and storage of renewable energy. ‘People are investing heavily in wind turbines and solar parks. Zinc is needed for that. As it is for the electrification of the transport sector. Electric transport needs zinc to protect itself against corrosion.’
Electric cars also need safe, strong and lightweight galvanised steel products. ‘These help keep the weight of the car within limits, given that electric batteries make these types of cars extra heavy. Zinc will also play an increasingly important role for the battery itself. Various rechargeable batteries are already being developed with zinc as an energy carrier.’
