European Committee Recognized Zamak as Recyclable Material
Standardization efforts aim to streamline circular metal economies under new EU packaging regulations.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Environmental
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In autumn 2025, the European Committee for Standardization formally recognized zamak—a zinc-based alloy—as a recyclable material. This classification supports compliance with the European Union Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.
Why it matters
The recognition facilitates the transition toward a circular economy by validating the infinite recyclability of zamak. This regulatory shift encourages industrial investment in recycling infrastructure to meet upcoming EU sustainability mandates.
Production of one ton of recycled zinc requires less than 0.35 MWh of electricity, compared to at least 4 MWh for primary zinc. REAZN Group currently produces ingots containing at least 93% recycled content.
The players
European Committee for Standardization
An entity that develops technical standards for various industries across the European market.
REAZN Group
A Luxembourg-based manufacturer specializing in recycled zinc alloy production.
The details
Zamak waste is recovered from glass recycling streams through the use of eddy-current separators, which use rotating magnetic fields to extract non-ferrous metals from crushed glass cullet. Once collected, the material undergoes a process of cleaning, melting, and alloy preparation to create standardized ingots. This method allows the metal to be reclaimed and reused indefinitely without degrading its material quality.
Timeline
2019: Global zinc stocks in products reached 247 million tons.
2022: The International Zinc Association published global stock data.
Autumn 2025: The European Committee for Standardization recognized zamak as recyclable.
Next ten years: REAZN Group targets 100 percent recycled zinc production.
2050: Projected global zinc stock in products reaches 490 million tons.
The Tech Race
This standardization follows the objectives established by the European Union Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. It signals a shift toward circular metal management to offset the projected doubling of global zinc stocks to 490 million tons by 2050.
The new standard primarily affects industrial manufacturing and packaging supply chains rather than end consumers. Companies will likely phase out primary zinc in favor of recycled alloys to meet EU packaging compliance requirements in the coming years.
The takeaway
Zamak now sits on a formal regulatory path for widespread adoption in recycled packaging streams. Industry observers should watch for the integration of this standard into forthcoming regional product design specifications.
Further reading
Explore the Environmental section for more on industrial sustainability and circular economy standards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Premium Beauty News.
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