Lead is a material very easy to recycle and, provided that adequate procedures are implemented; the final product (secondary lead) is indistinguishable from the primary lead produced from ores. About 50% of the lead consumed worldwide is derived from recycled and reused materials. There are many different uses of Lead. It may be used as a pure metal, alloyed with other metals, or as chemical compounds.
The recovery of metals from metal scrap has the advantage that it is easier and far less energy dependent than the production of primary lead from ores. The production of recycled lead requires 35–40% of the energy necessary to produce lead from ores. In addition, the recovery of lead decreases the lead dispersion in the environment and preserves the mineral reserves for the future. Recycling lead is relatively simple and in most of the applications where lead is used, such as lead-acid batteries, it is possible to recover it for use over and over again.
Lead batteries industry in India is currently estimated at Rs 40,000 crore with 60% automotive and 40% industrial. Over thousands of player continued recycling activity in India through recovery of lead from telecom, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), inverters, renewable energy and other related industries. Thus, due to demand it is a good project for entrepreneurs to invest.
Few Indian Major Players are as under
· Hindustan Zinc
· SesaSterlite
· Hindalco