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This table provides a detailed overview of the zinc smelting and zinc oxide production facilities operating in the United States as of 2023. It categorizes the facilities into primary and secondary zinc smelters, as well as zinc oxide plants, highlighting their respective locations and operating companies. This information is crucial for understanding the domestic capacity for zinc processing, which supports various industrial sectors including galvanizing, alloy production, and chemical manufacturing. Tracking these facilities helps gauge the country’s self-sufficiency in zinc supply, influences trade policy decisions, and informs economic planning related to the metals industry.
In 2023, the United States maintained a modest but strategically important zinc processing industry with a total of six key facilities listed. Nyrstar Clarksville Inc. in Tennessee remains the sole primary zinc smelter, with the capability to process some secondary raw materials, underscoring its role in both primary and recycled zinc production. Secondary zinc smelting is represented by two companies: Befesa Zinc Metal LLC in North Carolina and EverZinc USA Inc. in Texas, indicating a geographically diverse footprint for recycling operations. Notably, EverZinc USA Inc. also operates two zinc oxide plants in Tennessee, alongside Zochem LLC in Dickson, TN, reflecting a concentration of zinc oxide production in this state. This distribution suggests a regional specialization in zinc oxide manufacturing, which is significant for supplying industries such as rubber, ceramics, and agriculture. Overall, the data reveals a stable zinc processing sector with a balance between primary production and recycling, supporting both economic resilience and environmental sustainability goals.
| TABLE 5 | |||
| ZINC SMELTERS AND ZINC OXIDE PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES IN 20231 | |||
| Type and company | Location | ||
| Zinc smelters: | |||
| Primary, Nyrstar Clarksville Inc.2 | Clarksville, TN. | ||
| Secondary: | |||
| Befesa Zinc Metal LLC | Mooresboro, NC. | ||
| EverZinc USA Inc. | Houston, TX. | ||
| Zinc oxide plants: | |||
| EverZinc USA Inc. | Clarksville and Millington, TN. | ||
| Zochem LLC | Dickson, TN. | ||
1Table includes data available through February 10, 2025.
2Capable of processing some secondary raw materials.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Zinc statistics | Mineral commodity prices