Zinc Oxide Block Market
The future of the global zinc oxide block market looks promising with opportunities in the rubber, coating, ceramic, electronics, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic markets. The global zinc oxide block market is expected to reach an estimated $1.6 billion by 2035 from $1.3 billion in 2027 with a CAGR of 2.9% from 2027 to 2035. The major drivers for this market are the rising demand in the electronics industry, the growing use in renewable energy applications, and the increasing applications in healthcare & personal care products.
- Lucintel forecasts that, within the type category, indirect method is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period due to increasing reliance on advanced indirect technologies for precise material processing.
- Within the application category, electronics is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to increasing production of electronics and demand for more sophisticated elements.
- In terms of regions, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to greater electronics manufacturing and more country investment in semiconductor infrastructure.
Emerging Trends in Zinc Oxide Block Market
The zinc oxide block market is Expected To Shift from A Commodity Supply Model To A Cleaner Production Model with More Traceability and Production of Grades Tailored To Specific Applications. from 2025 To 2027, Buyers of Rubber, Ceramics, Chemicals, and Agriculture Will Reward Consistent Regional Supply. Lucintel's Market Focus Corroborates The Trend Observed By Other Industries: Demand quality and compliance, along with energy intensity, now have a significant impact on purchasing decisions.
- Sustainability: Zinc producers will reduce their reliance on coal and recover zinc from industrial residues. In addition, the EU is expected to implement rules on battery recycling, which will put even more pressure on the need for documented material flows, and will increasingly drive specifications. Customers will consider the embedded emissions, in addition to cost, when evaluating purchasing decisions.
- Regional Supply Diversification: Due to supply chain disruptions and the uncertain nature of Chinese exports, tire and rubber manufacturers are looking for shorter supply chains, and the International Energy Agency reported in 2024 that China accounted for approximately 70% of refined zinc supplied. This will encourage investments in capacity that is closer to North American, European, Indian, and other manufacturing converters.
- Digital Traceability: Requirements for batch certification, lab connectivity, and supplier portals will shift from premium services to purchase requirements. During 2025, ISO 14067 was implemented for product carbon accounting, and auditable quality of origin data will drive preference for traceable blocks in automotive applications.
- High-purity Functional Grades: There is an increasing demand from traditional rubber applications coupled with new applications in electronic ceramics, varistors, catalysts, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Increased demand for electric vehicles in 2025 will create long-term opportunities for increased margins with higher quality grades.
- Process Automation: Continuous kilns, sensor-based dosing, and predictive maintenance are reducing reliance on heavy physical work. Leading metals processors saw double digit productivity gains from industrial automation in 2025 investor presentations. Automation also increases consistency and reduces workplace exposure. This will benefit smaller regional plants because it increases competition.
It is clear which way the market is headed. In order to stay competitive, block suppliers of zinc oxide must improve verified performance, not simply supply increased volume. In the absence of well-defined competition, emphasis will shift to sustainability data, regional logistics, and controlled chemistry. Rubber is the main customer group, but there is more potential growth in ceramics, electronics, and specialty chemicals by 2030. Purchasing teams will start evaluating suppliers based on both technical and sustainability scorecards.
Recent Developments in the Zinc Oxide Block Market
A more investment-centric era for the zinc oxide block market is likely to arrive as utilities replace aging surge arresters while promoting their transmission networks. This level of activity is expected to peak between 2025 and 2027 from renewable projects and electrification of transport infrastructure as grid reliability constrains demand. Lucintel projects that product differentiation will revolve around energy absorption capacity, consistency, and regional production support.
- Increasing Investment in Grid Modernisation: Utilities have begun to replace surge arresters with higher performance blocks. China's State Grid allocated a planned RMB 600 billion to its grid projects in 2025. This will drive demand for all arrester components for high and ultra high voltage works across a minimum of 3 to 5 years.
- Renewable Energy Partnerships: Arrester manufacturers have formed partnerships with engineering contractors to certify technologies for use in solar and wind substation projects. From April to December 2025, India recorded a renewable energy capacity addition of 24.5 GW. This has increased the need for reliable zinc oxide blocks used in substations due to the increase in interconnection activities.
- Regional Production: To reduce the risk of disruptions and prolonged lead times, utilities are promoting regional sourcing. One of the European manufacturers announced the addition of a 10,000 tonnes per year capacity production line in June 2025. This new capacity is expected to improve supply and security, although the certification process is expected to be prolonged.
- Remaining Technology Oriented: More producers are choosing to manufacture zinc oxide based materials with higher energy levels to produce compact arresters. In March 2025, a Japanese producer introduced a block arrester with a rating of greater than 1,000 kJ. Higher energy levels in arresters can reduce the footprint of arresters and potentially justify the increase in prices.
- Rail Power Contracts: As railway systems increase speed and electrification, the railway systems are also increasingly installing surge protection systems. The Indian government approved 3,000 kilometers of new rail electrification in February 2025. These contracts will stimulate a demand for zinc oxide blocks outside the traditional utility substations.
Regarding zinc oxide blocks in the next five years, the supply will be more closely allied with investment in power distribution systems, rather than in housing construction. Electric utilities are prioritizing higher energy absorption, longer service life, and more locally-based supplies. Demand growth will enhance supply, but the qualification processes remain lengthy. Suppliers offering formulations with proven performance and surge protector designs should capture the more competitive orders as the rail and renewable energy networks grow globally.
Strategic Growth Opportunities in the Zinc Oxide Block Market
As community investments in renewable energies and data-center construction increase, the demand for surge protection grows. While utilities replace aging arresters, equipment manufacturers strive for greater energy values and smaller footprints. Lucintel suggests a focus on growth through application rather than volume.
- Grid Modernization: While new renewable energy systems will require more advanced switchgear, it is anticipated that new designs will require new ZnO blocks of greater energy absorption with better thermal stability.
- Renewable-energy Protection: The intermittent nature of renewable energy systems creates dispersed exposure to transient surges and lightning strikes that will spur demand for application specific ZnO blocks.
- Data-centre Infrastructure: Data-center construction will create an increased demand for low profile surge protection blocks for medium voltage distribution and back-up systems.
- High-performance Products: Residual voltage, voltage distribution uniformity, and service life are increasingly important to cutting edge utilities. Hitachi Energy stated that in an update of grid equipment in late 2025, they had over 1,500 surge-arrester installations. Qualification-driven purchasing will favor higher end custom blocks.
- Aftermarket Services: Monitoring services, analysis of failures, and replacement service programs can result in ongoing revenue streams in addition to sales of original equipment. The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $2.5 billion for grants to improve grid resiliency (October 2024) and will award those grants into 2025. Asset owners will pair diagnostics with replacement of lightning protection equipment.
The markets with the strongest opportunities will be found where financial costs are directly connected to lack of electrical reliability. Suppliers that offer consistent block performance, combined with application engineering, will win specification projects. The demand will go beyond traditional transmission and will be found in renewable energy facilities and data centers as well as in the industrial network. Local qualification, reliable testing, and aftermarket services will be as important as manufacturing capacity.
Zinc Oxide Block Market Drivers and Challenges
The growth in the zinc oxide block market is defined by the interaction of technological advancements, economics, regulations, sustainability, and customer preferences. Drivers of the market include the rubber, ceramics, chemical, electronic, and healthcare industries, while costs of energy and raw-material volatility and compliance provide uncertainty. According to Lucintel, in the coming years, they believe that the market leaders will be the most competitive, based on innovation and efficiency in production.
The zinc oxide block market is driven by the following factors:
- Customer Demand: The market demand for block-form zinc oxide is growing due to the increased use of zinc oxide in rubber, ceramics, coatings, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. During the first half of 2025, global vehicle production crossed 40 million units, making tire and rubber-compound consumption grow. It is expected that in the next three to five years the requirements for zinc oxide for the automotive, construction, and consumer goods segments will grow due to the increase in production and the need for a quality and consistent zinc oxide supply.
- Technology Improvements: Advanced developments in the fields of calcination, purification, particle control, and automation of forming processes will improve the purity and uniformity of block form zinc oxide and improve the process as well. By March 2026, a majority of chemical manufacturing processes had real-time process monitoring systems tracking more than 20 process variables. In the next few years, the market for zinc oxide will be further improved by the reduction of defects, improved energy consumption, and advanced grade zinc oxide with improved high-tech and high-end industrial and electronic applications.
- Regulatory Support: Marketplace standards for quality, environmental safety, and controlled manufacture of products encourage traceability of raw materials. Updated chemical reviews in January 2025 by major regulatory bodies increased scrutiny of industrial and consumer applications of zinc compounds. In the future (3-5 years) regulatory convergence will place a premium on suppliers who have documented capacity for purity, emissions, and testing controls, while incentivizing investment in safer manufacturing.
- Sustainability: The drive for sustainable manufacturing has increased interest in cost effective zinc oxide production and recycling. In September 2025, multiple regions announced industrial decarbonization programs which aimed to reduce emissions by at least 30% by 2030. This driver will reshape the marketplace as buyers take a more critical position on vendors' carbon intensity, zinc oxide recycling, waste, and water resource usage when sourcing and negotiating supply contracts.
- Manufacturing Efficiency: Through automation and use of continuously operating furnaces, integrated quality control has allowed suppliers to lower cost and improve client satisfaction. By April 2026, chemical industry clients reported 15% improvement in materials flow with use of automated systems over manual materials flow. Over the next 3-5 years, manufacturing efficiency and cost focuses will allow favorable pricing in response to large orders, while compensating for rising energy, labor, and transport costs.
This Market faces these challenges:
- Raw-Material and Energy Volatility: Due to the nature of the industry, the costs of production may be significantly impacted by the price of zinc, the cost of electricity and fuel, and logistics costs. In February 2025, zinc prices internationally spiked to over $3,000 per ton, putting cost pressure on processors who have limited buying flexibility. Unpredictable input costs also pressure margins and create a need for long-term supply contracts and an emphasis on recycling, energy efficiency, and alternative sourcing over the next three to five years.
- Environmental and Compliance Burden: Emission, occupational, and hazardous material compliance may result in increased expenses. They may also require newer, costlier, and more sophisticated systems. In August 2026, some jurisdictions industrial facilities imposed new particulate emission compliance limits of less than 10 milligrams per cubic meter of air. The provisions will incentivize modern filtration and new systems while resulting in stagnant growth and causing consolidation for smaller companies.
- Supply-Chain and Quality Risks: Having a reliance on mining regions and concentrated sourcing of equipment and materials may lead to interrupted business and quality problems. In November 2025, shipping disruptions caused freight delays of over 10 days on key manufacturing trade lanes. To reduce performance fluctuations caused by supply disruptions, customers will source regionally and conduct more audits and standardized testing.
The zinc oxide block market will show consistent growth due to increasing industrial demand and advancements in technology, as well as trends in sustainability and manufacturing. Long-term market growth will also be driven by manufacturing efficiencies. There are factors, however, that will impact growth and potentially stop companies from adopting expansion strategies. These factors include volatile raw materials and energy at different points in the supply chain, increased environmental regulations, and vulnerable supply chains. The ability to control costs will be a key part of building a successful business while being financially ready for any rapidly changing regulation. Businesses that combine these things with digital production and efficient use of resources will be best positioned to succeed over the next few years.
List of Zinc Oxide Block Market Companies
Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. Through these strategies zinc oxide block market companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the zinc oxide block market companies profiled in this report include-
- Zhiyi Zinc
- EverZinc
- Zinc Nacional
- Nexa Resources
- U.S. Zinc
- Zochem
- Marzinc
- IEQSA
- Weifang Longda Zinc Industry
- Hakusui
Zinc Oxide Block Market by Segment
The study includes a forecast for the global zinc oxide block market by type, application, and region.
Zinc Oxide Block Market by Type [Value ($B) from 2019 to 2035]:
- Indirect Method
- Direct Method
Zinc Oxide Block Market by Application [Value ($B) from 2019 to 2035]:
- Rubber
- Coatings
- Ceramics
- Electronics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Cosmetics
- Others
Zinc Oxide Block Market by Region [Value ($B) from 2019 to 2035]:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- The Rest of the World
Country Wise Outlook for the Zinc Oxide Block Market
Zinc oxide block manufacturers are positioning themselves in grid-modernization programs and developments in renewable energy interconnections and higher voltage equipment. In the 2025-2027 period, investments in capacity of the transmission system, manufacturing, and testing of surge protectors by utilities and equipment providers are noticeable. From this standpoint, Lucintel considers these trends as the main characteristics of the near-term competitive landscape.
- United States: The domestic market for metal-oxide surge arresters is growing due to Federal transmission policies and the capital programs of utilities. After investing $2.5 billion in the first grid resiliency and tribal formula grants in January 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy has been expanding its electrical equipment capacity in North America with Eaton and Hubbell. Domestic requirements for zinc oxide blocks for protection of substations and distribution in the next three to five years will be satisfied with these investments.
- China: Domestic market for zinc oxide blocks will be provided through State Grid's procurement of ultra-high voltage. Investments of approximately RMB 650 billion anticipated in 2025 by State Grid will fund transmission and distribution projects, while major infrastructure continued to be supported by the Government of China in their 2025 work programs. The volume and voltage of these projects will reinforce China's lead in the manufacturing and consumption of zinc oxide blocks.
- Germany: The Energiewende is increasing investments in grid equipment. Siemens Energy had an order backlog of €28 billion for the construction of substations and transmission equipment in May 2025. In addition, German network operators are implementing the Federal Network Agency's expansion plan. This ordered work will secure supply for qualified domestic suppliers of arresters and related testing services.
- India: Purchasing for power grid expansion and renewable energy transportation is fast growing. In February 2025, the Indian government approved ₹26,000 crore for interstate transmission systems for renewable energy projects. Hitachi Energy India has been steadily manufacturing and engineering in Vadodara. These projects will create a steady need for high-energy zinc oxide blocks.
- Japan: Utilities are building new networks for offshore wind and improving resiliency. In March 2025, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry approved 1.7 GW in additional offshore wind capacity. New converter stations and substations will require more advanced surge protection, creating a need for longer-term zinc oxide blocks.
Features of the Global Zinc Oxide Block Market
- Market Size Estimates: zinc oxide block market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
- Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2019 to 2026) and forecast (2027 to 2035) by various segments and regions.
- Segmentation Analysis: zinc oxide block market size by type, application, and region in terms of value ($B).
- Regional Analysis: zinc oxide block market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.
- Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different type, application, and regions for the zinc oxide block market.
- Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the zinc oxide block market.
Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter's Five Forces model.
If you are looking to expand your business in this or adjacent markets, then contact us. We have done hundreds of strategic consulting projects in market entry, opportunity screening, due diligence, supply chain analysis, M & A, and more.
This report answers following 11 key questions:
- Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the zinc oxide block market by type (indirect method and direct method), application (rubber, coatings, ceramics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and others), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?
- Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
- Q.3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?
- Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
- Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
- Q.6. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
- Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
- Q.8. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
- Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
- Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
- Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 6 years and what has its impact been on the industry?
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Market Overview
- 2.1 Background and Classifications
- 2.2 Supply Chain
3. Market Trends & Forecast Analysis
- 3.2 Industry Drivers and Challenges
- 3.3 PESTLE Analysis
- 3.4 Patent Analysis
- 3.5 Regulatory Environment
4. Global Zinc Oxide Block Market by Type
- 4.1 Overview
- 4.2 Attractiveness Analysis by Type
- 4.3 Indirect Method: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
- 4.4 Direct Method: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
5. Global Zinc Oxide Block Market by Application
- 5.1 Overview
- 5.2 Attractiveness Analysis by Application
- 5.3 Rubber: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
- 5.4 Coatings: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
- 5.5 Ceramics: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
- 5.6 Electronics: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
- 5.7 Pharmaceuticals: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
- 5.8 Cosmetics: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
- 5.9 Others: Trends and Forecast (2019-2035)
6. Regional Analysis
- 6.1 Overview
- 6.2 Global Zinc Oxide Block Market by Region
7. North American Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 7.1 Overview
- 7.2 North American Zinc Oxide Block Market by Type
- 7.3 North American Zinc Oxide Block Market by Application
- 7.4 United States Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 7.5 Mexican Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 7.6 Canadian Zinc Oxide Block Market
8. European Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 8.1 Overview
- 8.2 European Zinc Oxide Block Market by Type
- 8.3 European Zinc Oxide Block Market by Application
- 8.4 German Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 8.5 French Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 8.6 Spanish Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 8.7 Italian Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 8.8 United Kingdom Zinc Oxide Block Market
9. APAC Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 9.1 Overview
- 9.2 APAC Zinc Oxide Block Market by Type
- 9.3 APAC Zinc Oxide Block Market by Application
- 9.4 Japanese Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 9.5 Indian Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 9.6 Chinese Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 9.7 South Korean Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 9.8 Indonesian Zinc Oxide Block Market
10. ROW Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 10.1 Overview
- 10.2 ROW Zinc Oxide Block Market by Type
- 10.3 ROW Zinc Oxide Block Market by Application
- 10.4 Middle Eastern Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 10.5 South American Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 10.6 African Zinc Oxide Block Market
11. Competitor Analysis
- 11.1 Product Portfolio Analysis
- 11.2 Operational Integration
- 11.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- Competitive Rivalry
- Bargaining Power of Buyers
- Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- Threat of Substitutes
- Threat of New Entrants
- 11.4 Market Share Analysis
12. Opportunities & Strategic Analysis
- 12.1 Value Chain Analysis
- 12.2 Growth Opportunity Analysis
- 12.2.1 Growth Opportunities by Type
- 12.2.2 Growth Opportunities by Application
- 12.3 Emerging Trends in the Global Zinc Oxide Block Market
- 12.4 Strategic Analysis
- 12.4.1 New Product Development
- 12.4.2 Certification and Licensing
- 12.4.3 Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, Collaborations, and Joint Ventures
13. Company Profiles of the Leading Players Across the Value Chain
- 13.1 Competitive Analysis
- 13.2 Zhiyi Zinc
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.3 EverZinc
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.4 Zinc Nacional
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.5 Nexa Resources
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.6 U.S. Zinc
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.7 Zochem
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.8 Marzinc
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.9 IEQSA
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.10 Weifang Longda Zinc Industry
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
- 13.11 Hakusui
- Company Overview
- Zinc Oxide Block Business Overview
- New Product Development
- Merger, Acquisition, and Collaboration
- Certification and Licensing
14. Appendix
- 14.1 List of Figures
- 14.2 List of Tables
- 14.3 Research Methodology
- 14.4 Disclaimer
- 14.5 Copyright
- 14.6 Abbreviations and Technical Units
- 14.7 About Us
- 14.8 Contact Us