Galvanizing is
more sustainable

As steel is highly prone to rust – it’s estimated that worldwide, one tonne of steel turns to rust every 90 seconds – it is essential that the life of steel components is protected from corrosion for as long as possible. Hot dip galvanizing protects from rusting. Clean steel components are immersed in molten zinc at a temperature of around 450 degrees until the temperature of the work is the same as the zinc. During this process a series of zinc-iron alloy layers are formed by a metallurgical reaction between the iron and the zinc. As work is removed from the zinc, the zinc on its surface will begin to solidify, as this happens excess zinc is removed to ensure a smooth finish. 

Because of the long life of hot dip galvanized steel products, scrap metal wastage is also reduced, while several studies have demonstrated the high economic and environmental costs associated with the repeated maintenance and painting of steel structures – and both of these burdens are greatly reduced through initial investment in long-term protection.

The hot dip galvanizing process only needs to be carried out at the beginning of the construction project, but results in corrosion protection that can last up to 70 years depending on the environment it is used, without the need for any time or resource-intensive maintenance and replacement.

As an industry, the hot dip galvanizing sector has also taken significant steps in recent years to reduce its overall environmental impact. A number of leading organisations, such as Wedge Group Galvanizing, are leading the way by introducing highly innovative concepts designed to reduce waste, promote better use of resources and improve energy efficiency across galvanizing plants by reusing ‘waste’ heat created from the furnaces used in the galvanizing process.

One of the most effective of these techniques is rainwater harvesting, which reduces the amount of mains water used in the pre-treatment lines. This multi-stage initial cleaning and rinsing process is integral to the galvanizing process as it removes all grease, scale, dirt and rust, utilising various diluted alkaline and acidic solutions.

This ensures that the steel is in an ideal condition to react with the molten zinc, where finally it is immersed in water to cool.  To fulfil the cooling process while reducing demand on the mains water supply, rainwater that falls onto the roofs of plants is being accumulated and stored on-site via a series of gutters and tanks, and then recycled back into the galvanizing process.

With its long life-span, cost-efficient savings and significant ‘sustainable’ qualities, hot-dip galvanizing is becoming widely known as the most environmentally-friendly finish available to the construction industry, and with the ongoing efforts being made across the sector to ensure that these qualities are continually enhanced, it seems hot dip galvanizing is destined to long remain a leader in the sustainability stakes.