Top 10 Companies in the Zinc Scrap Market (2025): Leaders Driving the Circular Economy

In Business Insights
November 05, 2025


The Global Zinc Scrap Market was valued at USD 8.5 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 12.2 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is fueled by the global push for circular economy practices, rising demand for recycled zinc in galvanizing and alloy production, and stringent environmental regulations promoting sustainable material sourcing.

As industries worldwide prioritize decarbonization and resource efficiency, the zinc scrap recycling sector is gaining significant strategic importance. This blog profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Zinc Scrap Industry—a group of global metal recyclers, processors, and traders who are essential to securing a sustainable and resilient supply chain for this critical non-ferrous metal.


🔟 1. Sims Metal Management

Headquarters: New York, New York, USA & Sydney, Australia
Key Offering: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap, Including Zinc-Rich Materials

Sims Metal Management is one of the world’s largest publicly listed metal recyclers, operating across North America, Australasia, and Europe. The company processes millions of tons of metal annually, with a significant portion being zinc-containing scrap from end-of-life vehicles, industrial waste, and construction materials.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

  • Advanced sorting technologies to improve zinc recovery rates

  • Global partnerships with zinc smelters and foundries

Download FREE Sample Report:
Zinc Scrap Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. OmniSource Corporation

Headquarters: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Scrap Metal Recycling, Zinc Die-Cast Scrap, Auto Shredder Residue Processing

A subsidiary of Steel Dynamics, Inc., OmniSource is a leading North American scrap metal processor and distributor. The company specializes in recycling zinc from automotive shredder residue (ASR) and obsolete zinc die-cast components, supplying high-quality zinc scrap to the galvanizing and brass industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Integration with steel production for closed-loop recycling

  • Investment in material recovery facilities (MRFs) to capture zinc from complex waste streams


8️⃣ 3. European Metal Recycling (EMR)

Headquarters: Manchester, United Kingdom
Key Offering: End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling, Industrial Scrap, Zinc Recovery

European Metal Recycling is a global leader in metal recycling with operations across the UK, US, and Europe. EMR’s sophisticated processing plants efficiently recover zinc from shredded non-ferrous fractions, making it a key supplier to the European zinc market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering zinc recovery technologies from WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)

  • Active participation in EU circular economy initiatives and standards development


7️⃣ 4. Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.

Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
Key Offering: Auto and Metals Recycling (AMR), Zinc-Rich Non-Ferrous Scrap

Schnitzer Steel is a leading manufacturer and exporter of recycled metal products in North America. Through its Auto and Metals Recycling division, the company processes over 5 million tons of scrap metal annually, generating substantial volumes of zinc scrap for recycling.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Comprehensive environmental management systems at all recycling facilities

  • Targets for increasing the recovery of non-ferrous metals, including zinc

Download FREE Sample Report:
Zinc Scrap Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Hanwa Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Non-Ferrous Metal Trading, Zinc Scrap Sourcing and Distribution

Hanwa is a major Japanese trading company with a strong focus on non-ferrous metals. The company has a vast global network for sourcing and supplying zinc scrap, particularly in the Asian market, connecting generators of scrap with smelters and consumers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Promoting international standards for recycled zinc quality

  • Developing traceability systems for recycled content in zinc products


5️⃣ 6. Commercial Metals Company

Headquarters: Irving, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Steel and Metal Recycling, Zinc-Bearing Scrap Processing

Commercial Metals Company (CMC) is a leading vertically integrated steel producer and metal recycler. Its recycling division processes ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, including zinc-containing materials from construction, demolition, and manufacturing sectors.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Utilizing recycled zinc scrap in its own steel mill operations where applicable

  • Investing in advanced sensor-based sorting to enhance non-ferrous metal recovery


4️⃣ 7. Chiho Environmental Group Ltd.

Headquarters: Hong Kong
Key Offering: Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling, Global Zinc Scrap Trading

Chiho Environmental Group is a leading global non-ferrous metal recycler based in Asia. The company operates recycling facilities and a extensive trading network, specializing in the processing and supply of zinc scrap to markets in China and Southeast Asia.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on environmentally sound recycling practices in line with international standards

  • Building partnerships for closed-loop zinc recycling in the region


3️⃣ 8. Nucor Corporation

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Steel Production, Scrap Metal Recycling, Zinc-Coated Scrap

As North America’s largest steel producer and recycler, Nucor utilizes vast quantities of scrap metal, including zinc-coated (galvanized) steel. The company’s David J. Joseph subsidiary is a major player in scrap processing and brokerage, handling significant zinc-bearing materials.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering electric arc furnace (EAF) technology that can process zinc-coated scrap

  • Leadership in developing recycling-based steelmaking, indirectly supporting zinc recycling


2️⃣ 9. Cohen

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Scrap Metal Recycling, Non-Ferrous Metal Processing

Cohen is a major North American scrap metal recycling company with a long history in the industry. It processes a wide range of non-ferrous metals, including zinc scrap from industrial and municipal sources, supplying quality material to domestic and international markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Implementation of advanced separation technologies for maximizing metal recovery

  • Commitment to responsible recycling practices and community engagement


1️⃣ 10. DOWA Holdings Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Non-Ferrous Metal Production, Eco-System Recycling

DOWA Holdings is a Japanese integrated metals producer with a strong focus on recycling. The company’s “Eco-System” business is dedicated to recycling valuable metals from various waste streams, including the advanced recovery of zinc from dusts, ashes, and other secondary materials.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Proprietary hydrometallurgical processes for high-purity zinc recovery

  • Leading R&D in urban mining and material circulation technologies

Get Full Report Here:
Zinc Scrap Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Zinc Scrap is Integral to a Sustainable World

The zinc scrap market is transitioning from a traditional commodity business to a critical enabler of the circular economy. As primary zinc production faces energy and environmental challenges, the role of recycled zinc is becoming increasingly vital for sustainable industrial growth.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Advancements in sorting and separation technologies improving zinc recovery rates

  • Growing demand for green zinc with certified recycled content from the automotive and construction sectors

  • Stringent regulations and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes boosting scrap collection

  • Strategic investments in urban mining infrastructure to tap into secondary zinc resources

Get Full Report Here:
Zinc Scrap Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just trading a commodity—they are building the resource-efficient foundations for modern industry, ensuring that zinc continues to protect and enhance products while minimizing environmental impact.