Zinc is a versatile metal with a long history – from ancient instruments to modern-day items like phones, ointments, and cutlery. Its main role is in preventing rust by coating steel and iron, making it important for buildings, vehicles, appliances, and even in solar energy and offshore wind farms.
Zinc alloys are strong and flexible, commonly used in industrial die castings for things like vehicle and machine parts. It's also crucial in making brass and bronze, used in manufacturing musical instruments. Zinc oxide is important in rubber production, and zinc sulphite is used in X-ray screens and as a pigment. Additionally, zinc has applications in pharmaceuticals for medicines and in cosmetics, like creams.