India’s journey to becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047 will be defined by the scale of construction and also by the longevity of its infrastructure. Economic progress is measured by the number of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings constructed, as well as the resilience, safety, and sustainability of these assets over decades. Zinc, a strategic metal, lies at the heart of this equation. By protecting steel from rust and corrosion, zinc enables infrastructure that is built to last.
Steel is a fundamental material for modern development, but it is vulnerable to rust. Without adequate protection, corrosion can weaken steel, reduce its service life, and impose enormous lifecycle costs. Zinc, through galvanization, protects steel, ensuring it withstands erratic climatic conditions marked by coastal salinity, humidity, monsoon rains, dust, and rising urban pollution. The result is infrastructure that remains structurally sound and operational far beyond conventional timelines.
Globally, zinc ranks as the fourth most consumed metal, highlighting its indispensability in infrastructure and industrial applications. For India, the stakes are even higher. Our rapid construction pace, combined with challenging environmental conditions, makes zinc indispensable.
Over the past two decades, India has transitioned from a modest zinc producer to a global leader. Today, Hindustan Zinc meets nearly 77 per cent of India’s primary zinc demand and exports to more than 40 countries across Asia, South America, Europe, and Oceania. The company is also among the top five silver producers globally, supporting industrial supply chains and powering the clean energy revolution that increasingly defines the global economy.
The Ambition: Expanding Zinc Capacity for a Growing Nation
India’s infrastructure ambitions are unprecedented in scale: high-speed rail networks, industrial corridors, renewable energy parks, next-generation airports, and urban infrastructure designed to serve hundreds of millions. These projects require materials that are strong, adaptable, and corrosion-resistant. Zinc is no longer just a complementary metal; it is a strategic necessity for nation-building.
The economic cost of underutilizing zinc is significant. Corrosion costs India nearly 5 percent of its GDP annually, driven by asset degradation, premature replacement, and constant maintenance. In contrast, developed economies such as Japan and Australia contain these losses to around 1.5 per cent by adopting zinc-intensive galvanized steel. The message for India is clear: dramatically scaling zinc usage is not merely an engineering choice but an economic imperative.
By 2030, domestic zinc production must double in tandem with steel production to meet infrastructure demands. The benefits will ripple across the economy: creating skilled jobs, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring India builds infrastructure that stands the test of time.
Galvanized Steel: Engineering Resilience into Infrastructure
Among the many applications of zinc, galvanized steel stands out as one of the most technically proven and economically efficient solutions. By coating steel with zinc, engineers create a durable, corrosion-resistant layer that can extend service life to 50 years or more. Zinc’s unique sacrificial property protects the underlying steel even when surfaces are scratched or exposed.
Highway guardrails that withstand monsoon rains, railway lines that resist corrosion, and transmission towers that perform despite moisture and storms all demonstrate the transformative power of zinc galvanization. The long-term advantages are equally striking: lower repair costs, fewer service disruptions, and infrastructure reliability that boosts investor and public confidence.
Building with Longevity and Efficiency
Steel remains the material of choice for large-scale infrastructure, but without zinc, its lifespan is compromised. Galvanization, which metallurgically bonds a protective layer of zinc to steel, dramatically improves structural durability and reduces lifecycle costs. Galvanized pipelines, power lines, bridges, and industrial structures deliver years of maintenance-free performance. The return on investment is measurable in reduced operational expenditure and greater reliability. This combination of engineering strength and economic value cements zinc’s indispensability for capital-intensive projects.
Zinc’s Role in the Clean Energy Transition
Zinc’s importance extends beyond traditional infrastructure. It is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of India’s clean energy and climate strategy. Renewable energy installations, from solar farms in arid regions to offshore wind farms exposed to salinity and waves, rely on zinc coatings to endure decades of operation. A single 10 MW offshore wind turbine requires tonnes of zinc, while large solar projects consume hundreds more.
Zinc is also revolutionizing energy storage solutions. Innovations in zinc-ion and zinc-air batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion technology, delivering safer performance, abundant domestic sourcing, and lower environmental impact. For a nation seeking to reduce its dependence on imported lithium while accelerating electric vehicle adoption and renewable integration, zinc-based energy storage presents a strategically important solution.
Policy, Vision, and National Priorities
Flagship initiatives such as PM Gati Shakti and the National Infrastructure Pipeline are driving transformative development. Embedding domestically produced zinc and galvanized steel within these programs aligns perfectly with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. For policymakers, zinc adoption reduces lifecycle costs and strengthens asset resilience. For investors, it offers consistent returns and enhances Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. For engineers, zinc-based solutions provide reliable technology without compromise. For India, it ensures every bridge, road, transmission line, and industrial plant built today will retain its value for generations.
India’s growth story depends on zinc to guarantee that infrastructure retains its strength and purpose across decades. Zinc is no longer peripheral to infrastructure planning, it is central to sustainable development. The time to mainstream zinc into national infrastructure and energy policy is now.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Machine Maker or its editorial team. The information provided is based on the author’s personal insights and experiences and is intended for informational purposes only.
