Korea Zinc’s copper products earn SGS certification

Korea Zinc Co. Ltd., based in Seoul, South Korea, says the copper products developed at its Onsan Smelter have been certified by Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) as being manufactured using 100 percent recycled raw materials.

Korea Zinc says that, unlike other copper smelters, it produces all of its copper using recycled materials. Its process involves the recycling of byproducts from zinc and lead production, as well as printed circuit boards (PCBs) from electronic scrap, eliminating the need for separate copper concentrate purchases.

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The company says that utilizing recycled materials not only gives it a cost advantage, but also ensures its products meet the eco-friendly specifications demanded by U.S. and European markets.

A Korea Zinc representative says that the SGS certification marks a significant milestone, reinforcing the company’s competitive edge in the medium to long term as global markets increasingly prioritize the use of recycled materials. Beyond this certification, the representative says the company is committed to advancing its operations toward becoming a leading eco-friendly smelter.

The company plans to complete an expansion of its copper production facilities at its Onsan Smelter by the first half of 2025. All copper products from these expanded facilities will continue to be produced using secondary materials obtained through resource recycling or scrap, significantly reducing carbon emissions throughout the production process.