Zinc Oxide Market

How big is Zinc Oxide Market in 2026?

Sales of zinc oxide will grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2026 to 2036. Market size is USD 4.7 billion in 2025 and USD 5.0 billion in 2026, and is projected to reach USD 9.4 billion by 2036.

Zinc oxide market size stood at USD 4.7 billion in 2025, is estimated at USD 5.0 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 9.4 billion by 2036. Sales of zinc oxide will grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2026 to 2036, according to FMI. Rubber is the leading application of the market, so demand for zinc oxide will follow tyre output. The International Rubber Study Group expects global rubber demand to reach 36.57 million tonnes by 2032, from 32.49 million tonnes in 2025. The group also forecasts average tyre production growth of 1.46% a year through 2032. Key challenges faced by producers include the modest tyre growth rate, so sales gains will have to come from new uses, new regions and better grades. 

Key Market Trends & Insights

• By grade, industrial grade led the market with a share of 74.9% in 2026, ahead of pharma at 15% and food at 10.1%, supported by use in rubber, ceramics and paints.
• By process, the indirect (French) process held 77.6% of process sales in 2026, ahead of the direct (American) process at 14.8% and wet chemical at 7.6%. Tyre Trends reported in June 2026 that Punia Group recently commissioned a French process plant at Tirupati.
• By application, rubber accounted for 46.3% of sales in 2026, followed by ceramics at 12.5% and chemicals at 9%. Tyre production is forecast to grow by an average of 1.46% a year through 2032.

Regional Highlights

• Fastest-growing profiled country: India (9.5% CAGR, 2026 to 2036).
• By country: China follows at 7.2% and the USA at 3.6%, with Germany at 3% and the UK recording the lowest profiled CAGR at 2.5%.
• Indian tyre exports rose 9% to INR 25,051 crore in FY2024-25, according to Ministry of Commerce data reported in July 2025.

Market Size & Forecast

Table 1: Market Size and Forecast for the Zinc Oxide Market (USD billion and percentage), 2025 to 2036

Metric	Value
2025 Market Size	USD 4.7 billion
Estimated Market Size in 2026	USD 5.0 billion
Projected Market Size by 2036	USD 9.4 billion
CAGR, 2026 to 2036	6.4%
Added Revenue, 2026 to 2036	USD 4.4 billion
Market Expansion Multiple	1.9x

Rubber is the largest source of zinc oxide demand at 46.3% of application sales in 2026, and tyre output grows slowly. Tyre production is forecast to rise 0.24% in 2025, according to the International Rubber Study Group outlook reported in January 2026. As per FMI, producers are responding with purer grades and recycled feed. GRILLO-Werke produces zinc oxide at Goslar, including a high-purity, EU-GMP-compliant cosmetic pigment, and growth in the halal cosmetics market is anticipated to widen the buyer pool for cosmetic grades. The global refined zinc market was in surplus by 120kt in the first half of 2026, per the International Lead and Zinc Study Group. That surplus may ease feed cost for French process plants and for zinc alloy makers in the die casting services market. Ferrite makers in the magnetic materials market are a further electronic buyer of high purity oxide.

Installed Capacity by Process Route

Installed capacity in the zinc oxide market is documented best for the indirect (French) process. J.G. Chemicals reported plant capacity of 43,704 MTPA at Naidupeta, 14,400 MTPA at Jangalpur and 1,800 MTPA at Belur in May 2025. Group capacity of 70,000 MTPA of zinc chemicals was cited on 8 August 2026, ahead of the Dahej start. Tyre Trends reported in June 2026 that heat recovery and furnace optimisation delivered 15 to 20 percent fuel savings at the Punia Group Tirupati plant. Recycling adds oxide outside the French route, as Befesa sold 189,867 tonnes of Waelz oxide in the first half of 2026.

Table 2: Installed Capacity and Process Route Indicators for the Zinc Oxide Market (tonnes per year and percentage), mixed reporting years from 2025 to 2026

Indicator	Data Point	Relevance	Source
J.G. Chemicals, India plants, 2025	Naidupeta 43,704 MTPA; Jangalpur 14,400 MTPA; Belur 1,800 MTPA	The plants form the documented Indian base for tyre and rubber buyers.
J.G. Chemicals, Dahej	40,000+ MTPA; commissioning expected in Q3 FY27, earlier targeted by H1 FY27	The new Gujarat unit adds supply, and the start moved to a later quarter.
J.G. Chemicals, group zinc chemicals, 2026	Capacity of 70,000 MTPA of zinc chemicals	The group base comes before the Dahej start.
Punia Group, Tirupati, 2026	French process plant; zinc dross feed; 15 to 20 percent fuel savings	Recycled galvanising dross supports indirect process output.
Befesa steel dust recycling, H1 2026	Installed capacity 1,758,300 tonnes; throughput 587,796 tonnes; utilisation 67.4%	Spare capacity leaves room for more recycled zinc.
Befesa Waelz oxide sold, H1 2026	189,867 tonnes, up 2.6% from 184,981 tonnes in H1 2025	Recycled oxide volumes add supply outside the French route.
USA crude zinc oxide recovery, 2025	Crude zinc oxide recovered from electric arc furnace dust	Steel dust recovery gives the USA a secondary oxide source.

Analyst Perspective

Zinc oxide is likely to remain anchored in rubber and industrial processing, and producers with feedstock control and consistent particle quality are expected to gain an advantage as downstream users tighten performance specifications.

- Nikhil Kaitwade, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights.

How is the Zinc Oxide Market segmented?

The zinc oxide market is segmented into grade, process and application, and region. In 2026, industrial grade holds 74.9% of grade sales, pharma 15% and food 10.1%. The indirect (French) process holds 77.6% of process sales, direct (American) 14.8% and wet chemical 7.6%. Rubber holds 46.3% of application sales, followed by ceramics at 12.5%, chemicals at 9%, paints and coatings at 8.2%, cosmetics and personal care at 7.4%, agricultural at 5.6%, pharmaceutical at 4.8% and others at 6.2%.

By grade: industrial, pharma, and food.

By process: indirect (French) process, direct (American) process, and wet chemical process.

By application: rubber, ceramics, chemicals, cosmetics and personal care, paints and coatings, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and others.

By region: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Balkan and Baltic Countries, Russia and Belarus, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, and Middle East and Africa.

Why does industrial grade lead zinc oxide sales by grade?

Industrial grade accounts for 74.9% of grade sales in 2026, owing to wide use in rubber, ceramics and paints.

Table 3: Grade Share for the Zinc Oxide Market (percentage share), 2026

Grade	Share (2026)
Industrial Grade	74.9%
Pharma Grade	15%
Food Grade	10.1%
Total	100.0%

Table 4: Grade Leadership and Market Growth for the Zinc Oxide Market (segment and CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036

Metric	Value
Global CAGR (2026 to 2036)	6.4%
Leading Segment	Industrial Grade

Sales of industrial grade zinc oxide follow the output of tyres and rubber goods, as rubber compounds use zinc oxide as an activator. As per FMI estimates, industrial grade holds 74.9% of grade sales in 2026, and pharma and food grades hold 15% and 10.1% for smaller groups of buyers. The GRILLO-Werke product page lists zinc oxide for the chemical and petrochemical industries, cosmetics and pharma, with a high-purity, EU-GMP-compliant cosmetic pigment. IRSG forecasts average tyre production growth of 1.46% a year through 2032.

• Rubber, ceramic and paint buyers use standard purity in volume, so industrial grade holds 74.9% of grade sales in 2026.
• Buyers comparing grades should check purity limits, particle size and plant certificates before approving a supplier.

Why does the indirect (French) process lead zinc oxide sales by process?

The indirect (French) process takes 77.6% of process sales in 2026, as plants vaporise zinc metal to make fine, consistent particles.

Table 5: Process Share for the Zinc Oxide Market (percentage share), 2026

Process	Estimated Share (2026)
Indirect (French) process	77.6%
Direct (American) process	14.8%
Wet chemical process	7.6%
Total	100.0%

Indirect (French) process plants lead because vaporised zinc metal gives fine particles with consistent morphology. As per FMI, this process holds 77.6% of process sales in 2026, and direct (American) and wet chemical plants hold 14.8% and 7.6%. Tyre Trends reported in June 2026 that the Punia Group Tirupati plant will take most raw material from galvanising zinc dross and has delivered 15 to 20 percent fuel savings. USGS reported in February 2026 that crude zinc oxide is recovered from electric arc furnace dust in the USA, which adds supply outside the French route.

• New builds in India extend the 77.6% share of the indirect (French) process in 2026.
• Producers with recycled zinc feed should compare dross and scrap supply contracts, as feed cost sets the margin on each tonne.

Why does rubber lead zinc oxide demand by application?

Rubber takes 46.3% of application sales in 2026, as tyre and rubber goods makers use zinc oxide to activate vulcanisation.

Table 6: Application Share for the Zinc Oxide Market (percentage share), 2026

Application	Estimated Share (2026)
Rubber	46.3%
Ceramics	12.5%
Chemicals	9%
Paints and coatings	8.2%
Cosmetics and personal care	7.4%
Agricultural	5.6%
Pharmaceutical	4.8%
Others	6.2%
Total	100.0%

Use of zinc oxide in rubber compounds follows tyre and rubber goods output, as the compound needs zinc oxide to activate vulcanisation. FMI estimates that rubber holds 46.3% of application sales in 2026. Ceramics buyers include makers in the porcelain tableware market, and ceramics (12.5%), chemicals (9%), paints and coatings (8.2%), cosmetics and personal care (7.4%), agricultural (5.6%) and pharmaceutical (4.8%) buyers take the remainder, with others at 6.2%. J.G. Chemicals said in May 2025 that the company counts 9 of the top 10 global tyre manufacturers as customers. Global rubber demand is forecast to rise to 36.57 million tonnes in 2032 from 32.49 million tonnes in 2025.

• Steady tyre and rubber goods output supports a 46.3% share of application sales for rubber in 2026.
• Cosmetics buyers should confirm purity and certification, as GRILLO-Werke markets cosmetic zinc oxide as EU-GMP-compliant.

What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the Zinc Oxide Market?

In the zinc oxide market, tyre output and new indirect process plants drive sales, slow growth of tyre production restrains order volumes, and recycled zinc feed opens the main opportunity for certified and purer grades.

• Driver: Steady rubber demand and new indirect process capacity in India support orders.
• Restraint: Tyre production grows more slowly than the market, and lower output at UK tyre plants reduces rubber grade orders.
• Opportunity: Recycled zinc oxide and purer grades for cosmetics and pharma buyers open added sales.

Tyre Exports and Indian Plants Support Orders

Rubber is the largest application of zinc oxide, and India shipped INR 25,051 crore of tyres abroad in FY2024-25, up 9%. J.G. Chemicals said in May 2025 that the company counts 9 of the top 10 global tyre manufacturers as customers.

Slow Tyre Growth Limits Order Volumes

Tyre production is forecast to grow by an average of 1.46% a year through 2032, against a market CAGR of 6.4%. The International Rubber Study Group put growth at only 0.24% in 2025. FMI expects new lines to arrive faster than tyre output grows, which may slow returns on new plants in the first forecast years.

Recycled Zinc Feed Opens Purer Grades

Producers are shifting toward recycled feed. Tyre Trends describes the Tirupati process as a closed-loop system that will take most raw material from galvanising zinc dross. J.G. Chemicals stated on 8 August 2026 that recycled metal cuts air pollution by 80% and water use by 40% per unit of zinc oxide produced, against virgin ores. Certified recycled grades for tyre makers and purer grades for cosmetics and pharma buyers carry the opportunity for higher unit prices. Agricultural use of zinc oxide as a micronutrient links the market with the sulphur bentonite market.

Which country CAGRs are profiled in the Zinc Oxide Market?

Table 7: Country CAGR Comparison for the Zinc Oxide Market (CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036

Country	CAGR
India	9.5%
China	7.2%
USA	3.6%
Germany	3%
UK	2.5%

How do country-level CAGRs compare in the zinc oxide market?

Growth of the zinc oxide market is fastest in India among the five profiled countries, at a 9.5% CAGR between 2026 and 2036. As per the analysis from FMI, China follows at 7.2% and the USA is estimated at 3.6%. Germany is projected at 3%, and the UK records the slowest rate at 2.5%.

• India pairs new French process plants with tyre export growth.
• China draws on a large rubber manufacturing sector.
• US growth draws on zinc oxide recovery from steel dust.
• Germany relies on high purity grades for cosmetics, pharma and catalysts.
• UK sales follow output at established tyre plants.

Full report country CAGRs cover North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; Balkan and Baltic Countries; Russia and Belarus; Central Asia; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa.

Country-wise Analysis

India Zinc Oxide Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

India recorded 9% growth in tyre exports to INR 25,051 crore in FY2024-25, according to Ministry of Commerce data reported in July 2025. Export orders support demand for rubber grade zinc oxide at Indian plants. J.G. Chemicals lists 43,704 MTPA at Naidupeta, 14,400 MTPA at Jangalpur and 1,800 MTPA at Belur, with a 40,000+ MTPA unit at Dahej expected in the third quarter of FY27. Tyre Trends reported in June 2026 that Punia Group recently commissioned a French process plant at Tirupati that will take most raw material from galvanising zinc dross. New French process plants and tyre export growth drive demand, and the country is projected at 9.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, the fastest of the five profiled countries.

Key takeaway: India leads the profiled CAGRs at 9.5%, and the Dahej start in the third quarter of FY27 marks the next step in plant supply.

China Zinc Oxide Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

The forecast for China is a 7.2% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, with large-scale rubber manufacturing as the main driver. USGS estimated in February 2026 that China mined 4.1 million tons of zinc in 2025, the highest output of any country. Refined zinc output in China grew 5.9% in the first half of 2026, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group reported on 26 August 2026, and world mine output fell 2.6% in the same period. Befesa states in the H1 2026 report that the high capex cycle to expand into the US and China is completed.

Key takeaway: China pairs the highest zinc mine output in the world with refined output growth of 5.9%.

USA Zinc Oxide Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Net imports met 73% of apparent refined zinc consumption in the USA in 2025, USGS reported in February 2026. U.S. zinc mine output fell by an estimated 12% in 2025, mainly on lower ore grades at the Red Dog Mine. Domestic oxide supply therefore leans on recovery, and crude zinc oxide is recovered from electric arc furnace dust. Befesa expects growth in the United States to be driven by new contracts with steel producers. Zinc oxide recovery from steel dust supports US demand, and the USA is projected at 3.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.

Key takeaway: US growth of 3.6% follows steel dust contracts with mills, as mine output declines at Red Dog.

Germany Zinc Oxide Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

High purity grades for cosmetics, pharma and catalysts lead demand in Germany, projected at 3% CAGR from 2026 to 2036. GRILLO-Werke develops and produces zinc oxide in various qualities at Goslar, according to the company product page. Europe's refined zinc usage was broadly stable in the first half of 2026 against a year earlier. Befesa expects steel dust volumes to stay stable in Europe and Asia. Bulk zinc volumes are broadly stable, and purity and certification carry the growth.

Key takeaway: German producers earn growth through purity and certification, as bulk zinc volumes stay broadly stable.

UK Zinc Oxide Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

European Rubber Journal reported on 9 October 2026 that Michelin UK revenue fell 1.6% in 2025 and exports fell 1.1% on lower production volumes at the Stoke factory.[10] Output at established tyre plants sets zinc oxide demand, so lower Stoke volumes press on rubber grade orders. The UK is projected at 2.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, the lowest of the five profiled countries.

Key takeaway: UK orders for rubber grade zinc oxide track tyre plant output at Stoke and similar sites.

Who are the notable companies in the Zinc Oxide Market?

USA Zinc, Rubamin, Zinc Oxide LLC, Grupo Promax, Weifang Longda Zinc Industry, Yongchang Zinc Industry, Pan Continental Chemical, J.G. Chemicals, Akrochem, and ZM Silesia are notable companies profiled in this market.

Zinc oxide producers differ by installed capacity, process route, recycled feed and grade range, as per FMI. J.G. Chemicals documents plant-level capacity and lists 70,000 MTPA of zinc chemicals. Punia Group, Befesa and GRILLO-Werke add documented French process, recycled oxide and high purity supply. USA Zinc, Rubamin, Zinc Oxide LLC, Grupo Promax and ZM Silesia serve regional rubber, ceramic and chemical buyers.

• Documented capacity builder: J.G. Chemicals.
• Established regional producers: USA Zinc, Rubamin, Zinc Oxide LLC, Grupo Promax, and ZM Silesia.
• Specialist and supply chain companies: Weifang Longda Zinc Industry, Yongchang Zinc Industry, Pan Continental Chemical, and Akrochem.

Competitive Benchmarking: Zinc Oxide Market

Table 8: Competitive Benchmarking for the Zinc Oxide Market (qualitative documentation ratings), 2026

Company	Capacity	Process Route	Recycled Feed	Disclosure
J.G. Chemicals	High	Low	High	High
Punia Group	Low	High	High	Medium
Befesa	High	Low	High	High
GRILLO-Werke	Low	Low	Low	Medium

Key Developments in the Zinc Oxide Market

• In August 2026, J.G. Chemicals reported that the 40,000+ MTPA Dahej unit is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of FY27.
• In July 2026, Befesa reported steel dust throughput of 587,796 tonnes in the first half of 2026, up 6.8%.
• In June 2026, Tyre Trends reported that Punia Group recently commissioned a French process plant at Tirupati that will take most raw material from galvanising zinc dross.
• In February 2026, USGS reported that U.S. zinc mine output fell an estimated 12% in 2025.

Key Players in the Zinc Oxide Market

Profiled Producers

• USA Zinc
• Rubamin
• Zinc Oxide LLC
• Grupo Promax
• Weifang Longda Zinc Industry Co., Ltd.
• Yongchang Zinc Industry
• Pan Continental Chemical
• J.G. Chemicals Limited
• Akrochem
• ZM Silesia

Producers with Documented 2025 to 2026 Activity

• Punia Group
• Befesa S.A.
• GRILLO-Werke AG

Zinc Oxide Market - Report Scope

Table 9: Report Scope for the Zinc Oxide Market (coverage fields and definitions), 2026 to 2036

Coverage field	Report scope
Market breakdown	Grade; process; application; region
Quantitative units	USD billion
Market definition	Industrial, pharma and food grades made by the indirect (French), direct (American) and wet chemical processes, tracked by application in rubber, ceramics, chemicals, cosmetics and personal care, paints and coatings, pharmaceutical, agricultural and other uses.
Regions covered	North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; Balkan and Baltic Countries; Russia and Belarus; Central Asia; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa
Countries covered	India; China; USA; Germany; UK
Key companies profiled	USA Zinc, Rubamin, Zinc Oxide LLC, Grupo Promax, Weifang Longda Zinc Industry, Yongchang Zinc Industry, Pan Continental Chemical, J.G. Chemicals, Akrochem, ZM Silesia
Forecast period	2026 to 2036

Zinc Oxide Market - Research Methodology

Table 10: Research Methodology for the Zinc Oxide Market (research methods and approach), 2026 edition

Method	Approach
Data Sources	Supply chain facts come from company filings, government and industry body publications, and trade press dated May 2025 or later.
Desk Research	Company filings, plant announcements, zinc supply statistics, rubber industry outlooks and trade press on zinc oxide, tyres and recycling.
Market Sizing and Forecasting	Sizing starts from the 2025 base market size of USD 4.7 billion and the 6.4% CAGR.
Data Validation	Plant, grade and trade facts are compared across filings, industry body data and trade press dated May 2025 or later.

Zinc Oxide Market by Segments

Zinc Oxide Market segmented by Grade:

• Industrial
• Pharma
• Food

Zinc Oxide Market segmented by Process:

• Indirect (French) process
• Direct (American) process
• Wet chemical process

Zinc Oxide Market segmented by Application:

• Rubber
• Ceramics
• Chemicals
• Cosmetics and personal care
• Paints and coatings
• Pharmaceutical
• Agricultural
• Others

Zinc Oxide Market by Region

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Benelux
  • Nordics
• Eastern Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Hungary
• Balkan and Baltic Countries
• Russia and Belarus
• Central Asia
  • Kazakhstan
  • Uzbekistan
• East Asia
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• South Asia and Pacific
  • India
  • ASEAN
  • Australia and New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Turkiye
  • Israel

Research Sources and Bibliography

• [1] European Rubber Journal (International Rubber Study Group outlook). (2026, January 21). IRSG expects 12% growth in rubber demand to 2032. https://www.european-rubber-journal.com/article/2098626/irsg-expects-12-growth-in-rubber-demand-to-2032
• [2] Tyre Trends. (2026, June 17). Relentless Growth In Zinc Oxide's Value Chain. https://www.tyre-trends.com/materials/relentless-growth-in-zinc-oxides-value-chain
• [3] Autocar Professional. (2025, July 2). Indian tyre exports cross INR 25,000 crore in FY25, industry maintains strong global momentum. https://www.autocarpro.in/news/indian-tyre-exports-cross-%e2%82%b925000-crore-in-fy25-industry-maintains-strong-global-momentum-127317
• [4] GRILLO-Werke AG. (n.d.). Zinc Oxide (product page, Goslar site). https://grillo.de/en/products/zinc-products/zinc-oxide/
• [5] International Lead and Zinc Study Group. (2026, August 26). ILZSG Press Release August 2026. https://www.ilzsg.org/wp-content/uploads/3.PRESS%20RELEASES/ILZSG%20Press%20Release%20August%202026.pdf
• [6] J.G. Chemicals Limited (investor presentation, Valorem Advisors). (2025, May 19). Earnings Presentation for Q4 and FY25. https://valoremadvisors.com/assets/admin/earnings_presentation/1747825603_f7327e88-f106-406d-ae1a-1e2ae53f57f4.pdf
• [7] J.G. Chemicals Limited (NSE filing). (2026, August 8). Earnings Presentation of Q1 FY27. https://nsearchives.nseindia.com/corporate/9903318000_08082026145827_Earnings_Presentation_of_Q1_FY_27.pdf
• [8] Befesa S.A. (2026, July 29). H1 2026 Interim Report. https://images.befesa.com/media/2026/07/H1_2026_Interim_Report-6a68ffb1b6fa1.pdf
• [9] U.S. Geological Survey. (2026, February). Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Zinc. https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-zinc.pdf
• [10] European Rubber Journal. (2026, October 9). Michelin UK reports higher profit despite lower sales. https://www.european-rubber-journal.com/article/2099811/michelin-uk-reports-higher-profit-despite-lower-sales

This bibliography is provided for reader reference. The full report contains the complete reference list and detailed citations.

This Report Answers

• How big is the zinc oxide market during 2026?
• What market size is projected by 2036?
• Which process holds notable share?
• Which application holds notable share?
• Which countries have notable growth?
• Which companies are notable in the market?