Zinc conference highlights a bright market

Attendees of the 7th International Zinc Conference, held March 23-24, 2015, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), heard a presentation from Salam Al Sharif, chairman of the UAE-based Sharif Group, on the role of zinc recycling in the wider industry.

In his presentation, titled “How Recycled Zinc can be a Possible Substitute for Pure Refined Zinc,” Sharif said there are several new zinc-related projects being developed in the Middle East and that the region benefits from its proximity to Asia and Europe.

Zinc pricing has not soared as of late, Sharif commented, but he also said there were signs of improvement. “As a result of the continuing increase in recycling, a considerable amount of zinc consumed is now being produced from secondary sources, or end-of-life products, therefore conserving even greater amounts of natural resources and energy while protecting the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions,” he remarked.

The conference, co-hosted by United Kingdom-based Metal Events Ltd. and the Brussels-based International Zinc Association, took place at the Le Meridien Hotel & Conference Centre in Dubai.

According to Sharif, who is president of the Bureau of Middle East Recycling and a member of the Bureau of International Recycling, the event attracted senior executives representing the world’s major metals industry companies as well as local and regional attendees.