LONDON (Scrap Register): Global demand for refined zinc metal is forecast to increase by 0.4% to 13.74 million tons in 2018 and then by 1.1% to 13.88 million tons in 2019, according to International Lead and Zinc Study.
In China, the latest official reported figures indicate that a slowdown in refined zinc metal production will not be fully compensated for by an increase in net imports and therefore apparent demand is expected to fall by 0.5% in 2018.
Activity in the galvanizing industry, notably regarding smaller-sized plants, has been adversely affected by closures or production cutbacks due to the enforcement of environmental rules. In 2019, Chinese demand is expected to rise by a modest 0.8%.
Apparent usage in the United States is forecast to increase by 2.1% this year with a 0.9% rise anticipated for 2019.
European demand is predicted to grow by 1.6% in 2018 with rises in Belgium, France, Italy and Norway being partially offset by a reduction in Germany. A rise of 1% is expected in Europe in 2019.
Elsewhere, apparent usage is anticipated to rise in India and to remain stable both in Japan and the Republic of Korea in 2018 and 2019.