Horsehead Studying Plans for New Zinc Plant

Horsehead Holding Corp. has completed a preliminary feasibility study to construct a 150,000-ton-per-year zinc plant based on “green” technology. Initial work has commenced on basic design and engineering and a site selection effort aimed at identifying a location for the plant is in progress.

According to a news release, the goal of the project is to produce zinc at much lower costs, to significantly reduce air emissions and to provide opportunities for the company to not only serve its traditional hot-dip galvanizing and zinc oxide markets, but to also serve the broader market for special high grade zinc and the continuous galvanizing market as well.
Horsehead notes that the proposed facility would use a lower-cost, environmentally-friendly solvent extraction and electrowinning technology to convert electric arc furnace-based feed and other recycled materials into special high grade zinc and other zinc products. This facility would replace the existing capacity. The company adds that the installation of a new plant would position the company as one of the world’s low-cost zinc producers.

Some of the criteria for site selection include electric power costs, environmental permitting process and requirements, labor costs and the value of incentives provided by state and local government.
If constructed, the new facility will be expected to:

• Increase operating efficiencies and reduce operating costs
• Enhance Horsehead’s position as a globally competitive zinc producer
• Open new zinc markets with significant growth potential
• Reduce Horsehead’s currently permitted air emissions including particulates, lead and greenhouse gases
• Further promote the principles of sustainable development and product stewardship currently embodied in the company’s operations

Horsehead’s site selection process is expected to continue through the spring 2011. If the project is approved by its board of directors and financing is secured for the project, Horsehead hopes to begin construction of the new facility before the end of 2011.