Zinc Ash, Zinc Dross & Skimmings (Galvanizing Residues)

Secondary galvanizing residues (65–85% Zn) for zinc chemical, sulphate and oxide producers

Zinc ash and galvanizing dross under HS 2620.19 (ash and residues containing predominantly zinc) and HS 7902.00 (zinc waste and scrap) represent the primary secondary raw materials fueling the global circular zinc economy. Generated continuously during continuous-sheet, pipe, and batch hot-dip steel galvanizing operations, these residues divide into distinct physical and metallurgical classes: 1. Zinc Ash / Skimmings: The oxidized crust skimmed from the surface of the molten zinc kettle at 440°C–460°C. Composed of metallic zinc droplets entrapped within a matrix of zinc oxide (ZnO) and flux chlorides (zinc ammonium chloride), dry unfluxed zinc ash typically assays between 65% and 78% total zinc content (with 40%–60% free metallic zinc). 2. Bottom Dross / Hard Zinc: High-density intermetallic iron-zinc crystals (delta-phase FeZn₁₃) that precipitate to the bottom of the galvanizing bath, containing 92% to 96% zinc and 3% to 4% iron. Slabs and ingots are cut or broken into furnace-chargeable pieces. 3. Top Dross / Blowings: Skimmed from continuous galvanizing lines, containing minimal iron and high metallic zinc fraction (≥80% Zn).

The buyers for this material are not primary lead-zinc smelters; they are specialized regional chemical producers manufacturing zinc sulphate monohydrate/heptahydrate for agricultural crop nutrition, zinc oxide (French/American process) for tire rubber vulcanization, zinc chloride for fluxing, and secondary zinc ingot distillers (using rotary sweat furnaces or retort distillation). Because galvanizing plants generate these arisings in monthly batches of 20 to 60 tonnes, the entire trade moves in 20ft container loads (20 to 24 MT net payload), packed in heavy-duty 1,000 kg woven polypropylene FIBC bags with PE liners or recycled 200L steel drums.

CBIL brokers galvanizing residues sourced directly from certified steel galvanizing mills and metal recovery yards in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Europe into licensed hydrometallurgical recycling plants in India (Mundra/Nhava Sheva), Pakistan, and Southeast Asia. Every shipment complies with Basel Convention transboundary hazardous waste regulations and national environmental import quotas (e.g. India DGFT/CPCB pre-shipment inspection certificates), with certified third-party laboratory assays confirming total Zn, metallic Zn, Fe, Pb, Cd, and chloride content prior to stuffing. Starter-trials of 1 to 2 containers (20 to 45 MT) are supported under standard CFR and CIF container liner terms.

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Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.