Galvanizing, an environmental choice

Hot-dip galvanizing, a responsible and sustainable alternative

Protection of the environment is increasingly an integral part of development projects. This is what gave birth to the concept of sustainable development. Several methods are designed to determine a project’s sustainability, and they all have the same goal: build now, according to our current needs, without compromising the future.

Hot-dip galvanizing is perfectly in line with this sustainable development movement. Today, steel is still the quintessential building material. However, its vulnerability to corrosion is not compatible with the concepts of sustainable development.

However, covering steel with a zinc coating - hot-dip galvanizing - gives steel a high level of resistance to corrosion. This process also provides a very favorable environmental, economic and social impact. This is why the use of galvanized steel is at the heart of the sustainable development strategy, by ensuring that what we build today will not jeopardize future generations.

Analysis of galvanized steel’s life-cycle

Zinc is a natural element found in all living organisms. Its use in the hot-dip galvanizing process has no negative impact on the environment. In the form of zinc oxide, the natural element that is zinc is found in dietary supplements, sunscreens and certain medications.

Our industry is increasingly concerned about the value of its waste and the quality of its environment. Regarding air quality, Galvanisation Québec is at the forefront in the country, in all its facilities. We have equipped our dipping basins with highly energy-efficient covers, which also protects the health and safety of our staff.

Zinc production

Hot-dip galvanizing

The last step to determine the production phase of the life cycle analysis for hot-dip galvanizing is to assess the energy demands and emissions from hot galvanizing process itself. The study door-to-door sees the energy and the additional emissions of the process, beyond the steel and zinc entries. The illustration below shows the products and the additional energy required to cover steel with zinc.