The race to Triple Zero

The hunt for every last calorie: As a pioneer in Ökoprofit and PIUS projects, ZINQ has continuously invested in energy-efficient plant and process technology, such as high-efficiency burners, heat exchanger systems, frequency converters, LED lighting, etc.

microZINQ® marks the beginning of the development of resource-efficient surfaces. The innovative thin-film piece galvanising process saves up to 80 percent ZINQ (compared to conventional piece galvanising). In 2013, microZINQ is awarded the German Raw Materials Prize.

ZINQ consistently aligns its products and processes with the principles of the circular economy and develops solutions designed for material health and closed-loop material cycles. Since 2010, the majority of ZINQ products have been certified accordingly and designed to be reused in biological and technical cycles. This is based on the globally recognized standard of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, an international nonprofit organization that promotes circular product design through the “Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products” program and drives the transition to an economy in which materials make a positive contribution to people and the environment.

Through ZINQ Technology, ZINQ is pooling its expertise as a technology service provider focused on innovation and sustainability. The division develops new solutions in the areas of surface treatments, the circular economy, and decarbonization—both for the ZINQ Group and for external partners and licensees.
The focus is on the further development of Planet ZINQ and the ZINQ Futurium as a platform for innovation and sustainable industrial solutions.

Implementation of measures within the framework of Low Carbon ZINQ for the gradual decarbonisation of processes: conversion to green electricity, electrification of the forklift fleet, comprehensive use of LED lighting, efficient control technology and heat recovery systems, as well as optimised process control in pre-treatment and at the zinc baths.

With the commissioning of the Bydgoszcz site, ZINQ is expanding its production capacities in Eastern Europe.

duroZINQ® is the first ZINQ hot-dip galvanized surface to receive Cradle to Cradle® certification.

ZINQ is acquiring the company verticalgalva, thereby expanding its existing service and location portfolio.

Internal material cycles are closed by processing zinc by-products on specially provided reprocessing lines. This marks the start of the ReZINQ project and the first steps towards closing all material cycles at ZINQ.

At its Hagen site, ZINQ is commissioning a 7-meter system for microZINQ®, thereby expanding the technical possibilities of the process.

The award recognizes the technological development of microZINQ® and its efficient use of the material employed.

ZINQ receives the MATERIALICA Award for its innovative high-performance surface microZINQ®.

microZINQ® has received general building authority approval (AbZ) from the German Institute for Building Technology.

The “Mach Dein ZINQ” initiative is all about the targeted development of our employees: from training in five apprenticeship programs and continuing education programs to the development of our own leaders. Currently, 80 apprentices are part of ZINQ and actively contribute to our mission of promoting greater sustainability in the industry.

ZINQ is among the top 3 in the special category of resource efficiency in the German Sustainability Award for the first time.

ZINQ is among the top 3 in the special category of resource efficiency in the German Sustainability Award for the second time.

The brand’s surface is honored by “Metalle pro Klima” with the Best Practice Award as an outstanding example of climate protection.

ZINQ’s thin-film hot-dip galvanizing process is the second branded surface to be awarded Cradle to Cradle® certification.

With the acquisition of Galva Union, ZINQ expands its presence in the French market.

ZINQ is launching a cooperation with the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, the Westphalian Energy Institute, Küpper Solutions and Gelsenwasser to decarbonise industrial process heat. Using new plant technology, the first prototype application of hydrogen in the field of process heat applications is to be realised at ZINQ’s site in Gelsenkirchen.

The ReZINQ project combines various approaches to extending product life, such as reuse, refurbishment and remanufacturing, with a voluntary take-back commitment to recycle steel and zinc in separate cycles in circular quality. In a professional ReZINQ process, all zinc-containing process by-products and galvanised steel products are processed so that they can be used as recycled zinc.

ZINQ is integrating three more galvanizing plants in Normandy into the group.

Germany’s largest cluster for the decarbonisation of industrial process heat applications in small and medium-sized enterprises is being established in Gelsenkirchen. As a founding member, ZINQ is part of this initiative and is demonstrating how it works with Power2ZINQ. At the Gelsenkirchen site, innovative plant technology will be used to convert the first prototype application of hydrogen (H2) in process heat, initially using hydrogen-rich energy gas (60% H2), and thus prepare it for use with green hydrogen. ZINQ has been working on the technical requirements for this conversion since 2016.

The ZINQ CO₂ Bank is introduced. ZINQ balances the CO₂ emissions and savings of duroZINQ and microZINQ hot-dip galvanised surfaces on the basis of environmental product declarations (EPDs). The savings are credited to all customers in Germany as carbon credits on their CO₂ account.

ZINQ is further expanding its French corporate structure through the acquisition of seven additional locations.

Low Carbon ZINQ implements a comprehensive strategy for decarbonising surfaces. This involves reducing product-related CO₂ emissions over the entire life cycle and thus the so-called product carbon footprint (PCF) of ZINQ surfaces. This is achieved through the use of recycled zinc and CO₂-reduced primary zinc, as well as central measures for greater efficiency and effectiveness.

This is where the future is being shaped. With the ZINQ Futurium, the research and development center for ZINQ technology, ZINQ has created a platform for exchange and knowledge transfer. ZINQ engages in dialogue with employees, customers, suppliers, and political representatives, fostering collaboration on the path toward a circular economy. Robert Habeck, then Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, has also been a guest at the ZINQ Futurium.

To implement the European Commission’s Sustainable Product Initiative, ZINQ is introducing digital circular product passports in the supply chain. This makes ZINQ one of the first companies in Germany to implement transparent proof of the circular quality of products.

Thanks to the measures implemented in the Low-Carbon ZINQ program and the exclusive use of CO₂-reduced primary zinc from renewable energy sources, the ecoZINQ brand surface achieves top marks in its CO₂ balance. ecoZINQ saves 185 kg of CO₂ per ton of steel – compared to high-quality coating systems. ecoZINQ is also Cradle to Cradle® certified. These savings are credited to ZINQ customers in the form of carbon credits.

The Beaujolais plant will become part of the ZINQ Group and will complement the existing network of sites in France.

The partnership between Schmitz Cargobull and the ZINQ Group, which has been in place for almost 25 years, has been expanded to include a forward-looking component. Dr. Günter Schweitzer and Lars Baumgürtel have entered into a cooperation agreement in the spirit of the circular economy with the aim of making transparent environmental data usable along the value chain. As a first step, both companies are developing a digital circular product passport (DCPP) for vehicle construction.

With the Lorraine site, ZINQ is expanding its industrial presence in Europe.

microZINQ® will also be considered for applications with increased fire protection requirements by 2025. This expands the range of applications for zinc surfaces and addresses specific technical requirements in safety-relevant building applications.

As part of the partnership with ArcelorMittal, the digital circular product passport (DCPP) will be applied to the construction industry for the first time. The aim is to promote the use of circular and low-carbon materials and create transparency throughout the entire product life cycle. This will provide a data-based foundation for sustainable decisions in the construction sector—and for the use of circular solutions such as XCarb® and ecoZINQ®.

The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) awards the German Environmental Prize 2025 to Dr Birgitt Bendiek and Lars Baumgürtel for their circular business model Planet ZINQ.