Latest news with #Zinc
Business Standard
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Bharat Coating Technologies Charts a Sustainable Growth Path for Zinc Al Flake Coatings in India
VMPL Punjab [India], July 21: Zinc Al flake coating is a cutting-edge corrosion protection technology made by layering microscopic zinc and aluminum flakes with a specialised binder. Applied at just 8 to 12 microns in thickness, it offers exceptional protection against rust and corrosion, often achieving between 500 and 1500 hours of resistance in salt spray tests, depending on the product's specifications, customer requirements and usage. While this coating system has been widely adopted across Europe for many years, in India, it still remains relatively new and underused. Bharat Coating Technologies, based in Punjab, is now taking the lead in introducing and expanding the reach of this efficient, high-performance coating process across Indian industries. Bharat Coating Technologies has quickly established itself as one of the most promising names in the functional coatings sector. The company specialises in Zinc Aluminum Flake Coating, and also offers PTFE and Xylan coatings to cater to a wide range of industrial needs. From automotive and construction to renewable energy and agricultural machinery, their coatings are being used to enhance the durability and performance of critical components. What sets the company apart is its strong focus on consistency, surface quality, and timely deliveries, something customers across sectors have started to rely on. At present, the company operates with a monthly capacity of 120 metric tons for Zinc Al Flake Coating. However, with increasing demand from across the country, Bharat Coating Technologies has committed to a significant expansion. Over the next six months, the company is aiming to scale its capacity to 250 metric tons per month. The move is backed not just by a market opportunity but by a growing awareness among engineers and manufacturers that zinc flake coatings are superior in both performance and environmental safety. Traditional methods like hot dip galvanising and electroplating are still widely used in India. While effective in providing corrosion resistance, these methods come with high environmental and technical costs. Hot dip galvanising consumes enormous amounts of energy and produces harmful by-products, while electroplating often involves hazardous chemicals and provides inconsistent results, especially on threaded or complex parts. Zinc flake coating, on the other hand, is more precise, cleaner, and far more eco-friendly. It does not cause hydrogen embrittlement, it allows for full coverage even on complex surfaces, and it achieves excellent results with significantly thinner layers. One of the key enablers of Bharat Coating Technologies' success is its sourcing relationship with Green Cotech Private Limited. While the two companies operate independently, Green Cotech plays a crucial role in supplying high-performance, compliant coating materials that meet global standards. Behind this strong partnership is Adab Bhandari, whose long-standing commitment to sustainable chemistry and green technology has influenced how Bharat Coating Technologies approaches its formulation and sourcing strategies. This collaboration has enabled the company to develop coatings that are not only high-performing but also environmentally responsible. Bharat Coating Technologies works closely with its clients to meet diverse coating requirements. Depending on the application, the company offers coatings that meet 500, 1000, or even 1500 hours of salt spray resistance. Whether it is for fasteners in wind turbines or automotive components exposed to harsh environments, the coatings are tailored to suit real-world operating conditions. The results are long-lasting and reliable, all while reducing the ecological impact. As part of its expansion strategy, Bharat Coating Technologies is also investing in infrastructure and workforce development. New production lines, advanced curing systems, and optimised workflows are being introduced to boost output and maintain lead times. The goal is to improve speed without compromising quality. For the end customer, this means timely deliveries and a more reliable supply chain, even for high-volume and urgent orders. The company's production systems are backed by strong quality control. Each batch undergoes thorough testing for thickness, adhesion, corrosion resistance, and overall finish. The coatings comply with global environmental and regulatory standards, including RoHS and REACH, making them suitable not only for the domestic market but also for export-oriented businesses. With India's manufacturing and infrastructure sectors on the rise, and the global push toward more sustainable industrial practices, Bharat Coating Technologies is in the right place at the right time. By offering advanced coatings that meet both performance and environmental benchmarks, the company is playing a crucial role in reshaping how corrosion protection is approached in India. As the expansion plan takes shape and new capacities come online, Bharat Coating Technologies is poised to become one of India's leading names in sustainable surface treatment. Its focus on innovation, reliability, and environmental responsibility reflects a larger shift happening in Indian industry, one where quality and sustainability are no longer trade-offs but expectations. The journey ahead is promising, and Bharat Coating Technologies is ready to lead it.
The National
16-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Foreign YouTube stars secretly paid by UK Government for 'propaganda'
A three-year investigation by Declassified UK has found that online influencers are made to sign legal contracts banning them from disclosing the government's involvement. "Feedback" on each video is given by Whitehall officials before the influencers are allowed to publish them. London-based media agency, Zinc Network Ltd – co-founded by a former Conservative Party spin doctor – is heading up the work on behalf of the Foreign Office in a deal worth nearly £10 million of public money. READ MORE: UK ministers told to increase Scottish Government borrowing limits Zinc has won lucrative contracts from the UK, US and Australian governments. Speaking to Declassified, one former employee described Zinc's work as 'state propaganda' and accused it of interference in foreign elections. Another said the relationship with some online influencers was 'extremely exploitative'. In recent years the company has recruited hundreds of internet celebrities for various clients, particularly in central and eastern Europe. Influencers are instructed to sign non-disclosure agreements prior to being told about Foreign Office involvement, so anyone watching their videos would have no idea they had been funded and signed-off by UK Government officials. The work has included a campaign to mobilise young voters in the 2023 Slovakian elections. That election was ultimately won by Robert Fico's left-wing nationalist Smer party, which is seen as being 'pro-Russian'. One former employee said that, by targeting younger voters, Zinc Network's campaign amounted to 'interference in a sovereign country's internal affairs'. READ MORE: Fresh headache for Rachel Reeves as inflation jumps to 18-month high Zinc Network claims to operate with the 'highest standards' of transparency, including a 'transparent approach to attribution'. Rules set out by the UK's Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) say: 'If an influencer is paid in any form… and the brand has shared control over the content, the post must be obviously identifiable as an ad.' The rules go on to say that 'ads mustn't materially mislead by omitting the identity of the marketer.' In 2022, Zinc signed a £9,450,000 contract with the Foreign Office, which is due to end in December this year. Usually, large contracts are published in full on the government's website, but in this instance the contract was kept secret. For almost two years, the Foreign Office tried to prevent it from being released under the Freedom of Information Act, leading to three separate reprimands from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) who ruled in favour of transparency each time. A heavily redacted version of the contract was eventually disclosed, although the ICO is now assessing a fresh complaint over the Foreign Office's refusal to release the document's full annexes. The documents show that Zinc was contracted to help counter disinformation in 22 countries across Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, and in the Baltics. They say: "This project fits within wider 30-year UK Government objectives, to provide balanced, independent voices to more people in the regions.' In a response to a parliamentary question about Zinc last month, the government admitted it 'provides feedback on videos for social media' to 'ensure alignment with overarching project objectives, and conflict and gender sensitivity criteria'. However, the statement added: 'Due to the risks posed to our partners and beneficiaries of these projects we do not publish detailed information about them.' Responding to the investigation, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'The UK will always champion truth and democratic values. Working with partner governments, we use a range of efforts to resist and rebut disinformation spread by those that wish to target the British people and our allies. 'As part of this important work, we collaborate with commercial organisations, independent media outlets and civil society to combat manipulation and interference in democratic participation.' Zinc said in a statement: "Zinc Network is proud of our work helping civil society push back against hostile Russian influence, especially given the destruction being wrought on Ukraine. We operate within all applicable legislation and our own ethical frameworks around transparency and duty of care, as reviewed by an independent media ethicist."
Economic Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Stock Radar: Why is Hindustan Zinc looking good for a short-term bounce after falling over 35% from highs?
Hindustan Zinc Ltd, part of the Zinc industry, has taken support above the 200-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on weekly charts. On the daily charts, it has found support above the upward sloping traders with a high-risk appetite can look to buy the stock now for a possible bounce back towards Rs 455-485 in the next few weeks, suggest Zinc stock hit a high of Rs 672 on July 18, 2024, but it failed to hold
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Copper Rises to Three-Month High on Supply Squeeze, Trade Hopes
(Bloomberg) — Copper (HG=F) rose to a three-month high on an ongoing supply squeeze and as risk sentiment improved due to optimism the US will reach trade deals with other major economies. Struggling Downtowns Are Looking to Lure New Crowds Philadelphia Transit System Votes to Cut Service by 45%, Hike Fares Squeezed by Crowds, the Roads of Central Park Are Being Reimagined Sao Paulo Pushes Out Favela Residents, Drug Users to Revive Its City Center Sprawl Is Still Not the Answer Spot copper contracts traded at steep premiums to those for later delivery, a market structure known as backwardation that indicates tight supply. There's been a rapid drawdown in inventories on the London Metal Exchange and in China recently after traders moved record volumes to the US in a bid to front-run tariffs proposed by the White House. The so-called Tom/next spread, the premium of copper due for delivery in one day to contracts expiring a day later, widened again on Tuesday after peaking at $98 a ton last week, the highest since 2021. Copper rose 0.9% to $9,960 a ton on the LME as of 8:39 a.m. local time. It touched $9,984 earlier, the highest since March 27. Risk appetite was also aided after by a rise in stocks on hopes the US is moving closer to reaching deals with its top trading partners. Zinc, meanwhile, fell 0.9% to $2,728 a ton as a buildup in Chinese inventories pointed to a tepid demand in the top consumer of the metal. Used mainly to galvanizing steel, zinc has dropped more than 8% this year. Mined supplies have risen at the same time as China's ongoing property downturn and generally sluggish economy suppress demand. America's Top Consumer-Sentiment Economist Is Worried How to Steal a House SNAP Cuts in Big Tax Bill Will Hit a Lot of Trump Voters Too Pistachios Are Everywhere Right Now, Not Just in Dubai Chocolate China's Homegrown Jewelry Superstar ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
‘Severe Diarrhoea Elimination Campaign' launched in Karnataka's Dharwad
The Dharwad district administration in Karnataka has launched the 'Severe Diarrhoea Elimination Campaign – 2025', in order to prevent life-threatening dehydration caused by diarrhoea in children below the age of five years. The campaign will run untill July 31, 2025, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Divya Prabhu G.R.J. said during its launch at the District Hospital in Dharwad. The campaign will be held in all health centres, sub-centres, and hospitals of the district. ASHA and other health workers will also be conducting awareness programmes in schools and Anganwadi centres. The DC stated that diarrhoea can lead to dangerous levels of dehydration in children, which can be fatal. She emphasised that this can be prevented by administering the correct dosage of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) and Zinc tablets. The aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of child fatalities due to severe diarrhoea to zero. 'When a child suffers from diarrhoea, ORS and Zinc should be administered promptly to avoid dehydration. Parents are encouraged to visit the nearest health centre to avail free treatment,'' she said. Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhuvanesh Patil said that mothers should take special care of children suffering from diarrhoea, and urged them not to stop breastfeeding during that time, as doing so may increase the risk of dehydration. District Health and Family Welfare Officer S.M. Honakeri informed that there are 2,07,837 children below the age of five in the district. The campaign aims to raise awareness and prevent diarrhoea among these children. He said that this can be achieved through maintaining cleanliness, washing hands properly, and ensuring hygiene during food preparation. District Surgeon Sangappa Gabi emphasised that parents should bring their children to the hospital promptly so that they can receive appropriate treatment and avoid life-threatening situations. Resource persons T.A. Shepur, Dr. Varsha, and Dr. Megha delivered lectures on diarrhoea prevention, dangerous symptoms, and the precautions mothers must take to avoid dehydration in children. District RCH Officer Sujata Hasavimath and others were present, according to a release.
