Zinc Ingots

Zinc ingots are produced from zinc concentrates through roasting, leaching, and electrolysis. Over half of global zinc production is used for galvanizing steel to prevent corrosion. The remainder goes into alloys (brass, die-casting), chemicals, and battery production. LME SHG (Special High Grade, 99.995%) is the benchmark.

SHG (99.995%)HG (99.99%)GOB (Good Ordinary Brand)CIFFOBCFR
Quick Facts

Zinc Ingots at a Glance

Common Origins
ChinaPeruAustraliaIndiaMexico
Common Destinations
ChinaSouth KoreaJapanIndiaGermany
Grades & Specifications
SHG (99.995%)HG (99.99%)GOB (Good Ordinary Brand)
INCOTERMS
CIFFOBCFR
Unit of Measure
Metric Tons
Price Drivers

What Moves Zinc Ingots Pricing

Zinc trades off LME 3-month plus regional premiums (Antwerp, Singapore, US). Galvanizing demand (rebar, structural steel, auto) is the dominant end-use — about 60% of zinc consumption. TC/RC (treatment charges) on zinc concentrate signal smelter margins; when TCs collapse, smelters cut output and refined zinc tightens. China is both the largest producer and consumer; export tax adjustments swing global flows materially.

Contract Structure

How Zinc Ingots Cargoes Are Priced and Settled

SHG (Special High Grade, 99.995% Zn) is the LME spec; HG (99.95%) trades at a discount. Cargoes are 25-tonne containerized or 500-tonne bulk parcels. Pricing is LME M+1 average plus regional premium with monthly QP. Annual contracts typically negotiate premium in October-November of prior year.

Quality & Disputes

Zinc Ingots Specifications and Dispute Practice

Disputes mostly involve cadmium content (>5 ppm rejection), iron, and lead in low-purity grades. Physical issues like surface dross, cracks, and pinholes become buyer complaints at galvanizing lines. LME-approved brands command full premium; off-warrant material discounts $30-80/tonne.

Trade Flows

Where Zinc Ingots Comes From and Where It Goes

Top exporters: South Korea (Korea Zinc), Australia (Mount Isa), Canada (Trail), Peru, Mexico, Kazakhstan. Top importers: US, India, Turkey, Italy, Belgium (Antwerp transhipment). China is largely self-sufficient in refined zinc but imports concentrate from Australia and Peru.

More in Metals

Copper Cathodes

Copper cathodes are 99.99% pure electrolytic copper plates, the final product of copper smelting and refining. They are the primary traded form of refined copper, used as feedstock by wire rod mills, brass mills, and foundries. LME Grade A cathodes are the global benchmark.

Copper Wire Rod

Copper wire rod is a semi-finished product manufactured by continuous casting and rolling of refined copper. It is the starting material for electrical wire, cable, and conductor manufacturing. Wire rod quality is defined by oxygen content, with oxygen-free copper (OFC) commanding premium pricing.

Copper Concentrate

Copper concentrate is a semi-processed ore product containing 20-40% copper, produced by crushing, grinding, and flotation of copper-bearing rock. It is the primary feedstock for copper smelters worldwide. Treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) are a key element of pricing negotiations.

Copper Scrap

Copper scrap is recycled copper sourced from electrical cables, plumbing, demolition, and manufacturing off-cuts. Classified by ISRI codes (e.g., Birch for No.1 bare bright, Candy for No.2 copper), it accounts for roughly 30% of global copper supply and is critical for sustainable metal production.

Aluminum Ingots

Aluminum ingots are cast blocks of primary aluminum produced from smelting alumina via electrolysis. They are remelted by foundries and fabricators to produce automotive parts, construction materials, and consumer goods. Standard ingots are 99.7% purity, traded at LME prices plus regional premiums.

Aluminum Billets

Aluminum billets are solid cylindrical logs produced by continuous casting, used as feedstock for extrusion presses to create profiles for construction, automotive, and industrial applications. Alloy grades like 6063 and 6061 dominate the market, with billet diameter typically ranging from 127mm to 406mm.

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