From glowing yellow steel sculptures to sustainable material solutions: ZINQ is accompanying the 2027 International Building Exhibition (IBA´27) as a theme partner and setting impulses for resource efficiency and circular construction.

Over the coming years, IBA’27 will present innovative ideas for the architecture of the future in the Stuttgart region. Since this year, up to four-metre-high, yellow-coated steel sculptures have been appearing at the project locations – striking landmarks that symbolise affiliation with IBA'27. Whether as benches, gateways or stairways to heaven, the project markers invite people to meet and will remain visible as permanent symbols in the urban space even after the exhibition year.

ZINQ hot-dip galvanised and powder-coated the project markers – for long-lasting corrosion protection that permanently preserves the artistic and design character of the sculptures. The combination of ZINQ and paint will ensure that the striking markers retain their vibrant yellow colour for years to come.

 

Steel and ZINQ: Number one among circular construction materials

What becomes visible with the IBA’27 markers applies equally to many other construction projects: galvanized steel is among the best materials for circular construction. Modular structures made of hot-dip galvanized steel shorten construction times, create flexibility and promote the circular economy through the reuse of entire components (re-use).

The circular ZINQ surfaces protect steel against corrosion for decades – without regular maintenance or complex post-treatment. This extends usage cycles (slow the loop), conserves resources and reduces operating and follow-up costs.

Circular product design – the basis for circular construction

ZINQ's Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified piece-galvanised surfaces
are designed for circularity: they are free from harmful substances such as PFAS/PFOS and microplastics, and can be continuously reused within technical and biological cycles. Their circular quality and product characteristics are transparently verified through environmental product declarations (EPDs) and digital product passports. With its circular business model, Planet ZINQ, the company has been driving the transformation of surface technology for steel for over ten years – for a construction industry that conserves raw materials and makes structures usable across generations.

ZINQ and ArcelorMittal – together for circular, low-CO₂ steel

ZINQ is taking another step towards the circular construction industry with ArcelorMittal Steligence. By combining XCarb® steel and the ecoZINQ® surface, the aim is to bring a CO₂-optimised solution certified to Cradle to Cradle standards to the market in order to promote the use of construction materials of circular quality in the construction sector – transparently and traceably from production through use to recycling.

Impetus at the db symposium „anders! bauen“

As part of IBA’27, ZINQ is demonstrating how hot-dip galvanised steel increases the durability and recyclability of construction products, thereby enabling circular construction with metallic materials. This was also the case at the db symposium „anders! bauen“ ("different! building"), which brought together over 400 experts from architecture, planning and the construction industry at the Hospitalhof in Stuttgart on 10 July. The focus was on the question of how sustainable construction can succeed today. Alongside Koen Michielsen from Infosteel, ZINQ presented the LABIOMISTA project from the Benelux region. Realised using Low Carbon ZINQ and Cradle to Cradle-certified surfaces, it serves as an exemplary illustration of how modular construction, dismantlability and resource-saving materials make circular construction with steel and ZINQ possible in practice.

As an IBA partner, ZINQ is setting a clear precedent: circular construction with steel and zinc works – today, permanently and on a large scale.