Future needs origin
Combining innovation and tradition since 1889

The history of ZINQ is the history of a passion: hot-dip galvanising.

Robert Voigt, one of the pioneers of modern batch galvanising, was convinced that hot-dip galvanising was the most important method of protecting steel against corrosion using zinc. His vision: hot-dip galvanising as a professional industrial service based on precision craftsmanship and quality.

This claim is now being realised in the 4th generation in the family tradition.

ZINQ milestones

1972
Construction of a small parts system using the high-temperature process (deltaZINQ®)
1980
Acquisition and expansion of galvanising plants in southern Germany
1989
Construction of the first powder coating system (colourZINQ®)
1990
Acquisition and expansion of galvanising plants in eastern Germany
1995
Takeover of the first plant in Benelux
1999
Aufbau des ersten Oberflächenzentrums in Bruchsal (Verzinken + Pulver) Aufbau des ersten Werkes in Polen
2001
Construction of the second surface centre in Leipzig
2002
Acquisition of Galva Power
2003
Construction of the third surface centre in Emmen (NL)
2004
Construction of the first microZINQ® system in Hagen
2006
Development of the logistics service provider (SENiT)
2008
Construction of the fourth surface centre in Castrop
2010
Consolidation of all activities under the umbrella of Fontaine Holdings NV
© C2C
2010
In 2010, 90 percent of ZINQ products were Cradle to Cradle Certified® and are developed and manufactured in such a way that they can be used as environmentally friendly products in biological and technical cycles, in their entirety and repeatedly, for the production of new surfaces.
2011
Development of the technology service provider (ZINQ® technology)
2013
Construction of the Bydgoszcz (PL) plant
2013
Implementation of measures as part of Low Carbon ZINQ for the gradual decarbonisation of processes: Conversion to green electricity, electrification of the forklift fleet, extensive use of LED lighting, efficient control technology and heat recovery systems as well as optimised process control in pre-treatment and in the zinc baths.
2014
Takeover of verticalgalva
2014
Interne Materialkreisläufe werden durch die Aufbereitung von Zinknebenprodukten auf speziell dafür bereitgestellten Wiederaufbereitungsanlagen geschlossen. Beginn des ReZINQ-Projekts und die ersten Schritte zur vollständigen Schließung aller Materialkreisläufe bei ZINQ
2015
Opening of 7 m microZINQ® system in Hagen
2016
Award of the first microZINQ® licence
2018
Acquisition of Galva Union (France)
© Gigiverse
2019
ZINQ launches a cooperation with the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, the Westphalian Energy Institute, Küpper Solutions and Gelsenwasser to decarbonise industrial process heat
2020
Rename the group to ZINQ
© Pexels-picjumbo, Montage: RDN/Jens Valtwies
2020
ReZINQ project continues: In a professional ReZINQ process, all zinc-containing process by-products and galvanised steel products are processed so that they can be used as recycled zinc.
2021
Takeover of 3 further plants by ZINQ France (ZINQ Normandie)
© Julian Schäpertöns
2021
„Gelsenkirchen Climate Harbour“ initiative launches real-world laboratory for climate neutrality to implement the first prototype application of hydrogen (H₂) in process heat
2022
Acquisition of seven further plants in France (ZINQ Artois, ZINQ Cambrésis, ZINQ Nantes, ZINQ Loire, ZINQ Toulouse, ZINQ Landes, ZINQ Provence)
Björn Zölzer, Gelsenkirchen (BjörnBild)Björn Zölzer, Gelsenkirchen (BjörnBild)
2023
Einführung von ecoZINQ®
© ZINQ
2023
Introduction of digital product passports for the circular economy. This makes ZINQ one of the first companies in Germany to provide transparent proof of the circular quality of its products.
2024
Acquisition of another plant in France. (ZINQ Beaujolais)
© Schmitz Cargobull AG
2024
Kooperationsvereinbarung mit SCB - als ersten Schritt entwickeln die beiden Unternehmen einen digitalen Produktpass für den Fahrzeugbau.
© ArcelorMittal Steligence
2025
Cooperation with ArcelorMittal: As part of the partnership with ArcelorMittal, the digital circular product passport (DCPP) is being used in the construction industry for the first time.
Photo: Volker BeushausenPhoto: Volker Beushausen
2025
Winner of the German Environmental Award: The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) awards the German Environmental Award 2025 to Dr Birgitt Bendiek and Lars Baumgürtel for their circular business model Planet ZINQ.
2025
Digital product passports: ZINQ is part of the EU ENCIRCLE project and is committed to the development of digital product passports as a central component of the circular transformation at an early stage. Digital product passports are therefore one of the eight fields of action of the Planet ZINQ circular business model. Together with partners, ZINQ is working on the concrete implementation of circular product passports and is also contributing its expertise to initiatives such as CEWI of the Climate Economy Foundation, which has developed recommendations for action for digital product passports.
© IBA´27 / LHS
2025
ZINQ is a thematic partner of IBA'27, from glowing yellow steel sculptures to sustainable material solutions: ZINQ is accompanying the International Building Exhibition 2027 (IBA'27) as a theme partner and providing impetus for resource efficiency and circular construction.