Galvanised iron tower to boost zinc consumption in 2020

SHANGHAI, Apr 20 (SMM) – The galvanised iron tower sector is expected to give a significant boost to zinc consumption in 2020 as the construction of “new infrastructure” drives the commencement of a large number of ultra-high voltage power grid projects in the second half of the year.

Hot-dip galvanised iron towers used in power grids will be a growth engine for zinc consumption in the next three years. Most of the orders at galvanised iron tower producers are scheduled for May to June.

Five AC ultra-high voltage lines and three DC ultra-high voltage lines will commence construction in 2020, with the total length of over 7,400 km. Those lines, from construction to commissioning, are expected to consume 281,000 mt of refined zinc, with 94,000 mt of zinc consumption in 2020. This is likely to boost zinc consumption by 1.42% this year based on zinc consumption in 2019. The period is typically two to three years from the commencement of construction to the commissioning of an ultra-high voltage line.

As of March 2020, there were 25 ultra-high voltage lines in operation, seven under construction and seven pending approvals.

According to the Technical Conditions for Transmission Line Iron Towers Manufacturing GB/T 2694-2018, the minimum average thickness of hot-galvanising layer is 70μm and the minimum average adhesion is 610 g/m2 if the thickness of the galvanised part≥5mm; the minimum average thickness of hot-galvanising layer is 55μm and the minimum average adhesion is 460 g/m2 if the thickness of the galvanised part＜5mm. Normally, the thickness of steel used in regular iron tower and hot-dip galvanised iron tower stands at or above 5 mm.