Zinc is one of the most valuable metals used in our everyday life. Zinc is present in all aspects of daily life; whether from the phone you likely have in your pocket, the way you got to work this morning, or even the food you eat, for all of this, zinc is likely playing a key role. The valuable nature of zinc is what established the International Zinc Association (IZA), the only organisation that is dedicated exclusively towards the interests of zinc and its users. For IZA, it is on a mission to provide global leadership, coordination and value on strategic issues of the zinc industry. This includes aspects of market development, operating licenses, communication and sustainability, as the central focus for IZA is to highlight the valuable role of zinc in the world.
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Today, the zinc industry is a $40 billion a year market, with the utilisation of zinc consumption expected to hit 652 tonnes globally by 2030. With such a valuable role across the world, IZA is passionate about championing zinc use globally, whilst growing and protecting zinc markets. Key aspects of its operations include licensing for zinc operations and coordinating with those within the zinc industry through networking. Through these operations, IZA hopes can promote and develop a positive impact of zinc across the globe and leverage member funding to highlight the vital role zinc plays in our everyday lives.
At present, members of IZA include those spanning the mining and refining industry, and it is these that are given full membership under the Association as leading players within their respective zinc industries. These members are given seats on the Association’s board of directors to help oversee the progress and development of the zinc sector through the Association’s operations. As a full member, companies and stakeholders are also eligible to vote in the Annual General Meeting, which helps to drive the mission of the Association and continue to influence IZA’s decisions going forward in promoting the zinc industry.
Affiliate members include exploration companies, recyclers, oxide producers, first users of zinc and other companies whose operations concern the development and promotion of zinc. Then, Associate members include all of these within the industry, including trade associations, universities, research institutes and non-commercial organisations that work with their members and the Association to develop and understand the valuable role of zinc across global markets.
One of the central focuses of the Association is education and promotion, because by highlighting the vital role zinc plays in the development of everyday life, and the role it will play in the future, IZA can promote it as a vital metal of choice for a range of future developments. Today, zinc is present in a range of markets, including manufacturing, steel galvanising, technology, and market development, as well as in environmental, health, and sustainability sectors. This means that almost every day we are coming into contact with something that has utilised this vital metal to help in its functionality or project delivery. Therefore, IZA’s operations are so vast to highlight the role this metal plays in a multitude of sectors.
To highlight the valuable role of zinc across such an array of industries, IZA has established two central committees: the Environmental and Sustainable Development Committee and the Technology and Market Development Committee. These committees are made up of experts and specialists across the industry from its member companies and work together under the association to address the sustainable development of zinc, whilst ensuring that once sourced, this vital metal will be utilised across the world as a metal for the future.
One of the most exciting industries adopting zinc is the rechargeable battery industry. Zinc plays an important role in the development of rechargeable batteries, many of which are used in electric vehicles. Rechargeable batteries have been at the forefront of decarbonisation efforts as governments across the world are pushing for the implementation of electric vehicles in place of petrol and diesel vehicles. This global shift aims to reduce carbon emissions, and so rechargeable batteries have seen great investment in the last 15 years.
For many years, rechargeable batteries have tended to focus on lithium, which is widely utilised across multiple operating systems for energy storage. However, zinc provides a flexible, long-life cycle and highly powered battery option which can operate at a variable temperature whilst maintaining its performance. Zinc batteries are also non-toxic, often more cost-effective to make and are importantly recyclable. This ensures that even when a zinc battery reaches the end of its life, the metal can be reused to create more, making it a great sustainable option for the future of energy storage.
Sustainability and the impact on human life remain a key drive for IZA, as it works to promote the adoption of zinc across industries as a sustainable alternative, that, like with rechargeable batteries, plays a vital role in developing future decarbonization goals. However, IZA also remains focused on the role zinc plays in human life, and for many, the prevalence of zinc deficiencies among young children. According to IZA, 15% of the global population is zinc deficient, with 116k children estimated to die from zinc deficiency every year due to a weakened immune system.
This is a growing concern in developing countries, and so IZA has established the Zinc Saves Kids initiative in partnership with UNICEF to deliver cost-effective and high-impact solutions to treat zinc deficiency. This includes food fortification, macronutrient supplementation, and treatment for diarrhoea. Since Zinc Saves Kids was established, the initiative has raised over USD 4 million, helping to improve the survival and health of young children experiencing zinc deficiency. The role of IZA as part of Zinc Saves Lives highlights the association’s commitment to developing the adoption of zinc for infrastructural, technological, sustainable and health development.
Across IZA, there is a real passion about the role of zinc across the world and the valuable role it will continue to play in development for many years to come. The association brings together those vital to the development of the metal across the world, and through its operation, IZA can protect, enhance and promote the industry on a global scale. With so many industries relying on zinc, it’s clear that this kind of promotion, regulation and development is vital in helping to continue to develop the world towards a more sustainable future. Thus, with the support of its commitments, members and initiatives, IZA will continue to lead the adoption of zinc across the world to support life now and in the future.
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