Manufactured by Royston Lead Limited

With over a century of lead engineering expertise, Royston Lead Limited designs and manufactures high-performance cast and rolled lead alloy anodes and anode sheets for the most demanding electrochemical environments. Our products are trusted worldwide in electrowinning and metal refining (hydrometallurgy), as well as electroplating, marine, and corrosion protection applications.

Backed by deep metallurgical knowledge and experience supplying high-consequence, high cost-of-failure applications, we deliver specialist anode solutions that enable stable operating performance, extended service life, and improved process efficiency—helping you maximise throughput while optimising total cost of ownership.

As part of the IMI Group, our anodes are manufactured using sustainably friendly, refined lead alloys produced from our own recycling activities at state-of-the-art reprocessing facilities in Wales, ensuring quality, traceability, and circularity throughout the supply chain.

Built for Hydrometallurgy & Electrowinning Performance

Hydrometallurgy is a critical route to producing high-purity metals. Following dissolution and purification, electrolysis reconstitutes the metal—making anode quality a key driver of operational reliability, energy efficiency, and overall plant performance.

Royston Lead anodes are widely used in the electrowinning and refining of:

• Copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, manganese
• Other hydrometallurgical metals including uranium, chromium, and cadmium (process-dependent)

Our anodes are engineered to perform consistently in demanding electrolytes where uptime, energy control, and longevity are essential.

Rolled Anodes: Dense Structure, Longer Service Life

All Royston Lead anodes and anode sheets are manufactured using either cast or rolling processes, allowing us to match the manufacturing route to your application requirements.

Compared with conventional cast anodes, rolled anodes offer a dense, homogeneous grain structure that can deliver:

• Longer service life
• More stable electrochemical performance
• Reduced stress on electrolytic baths
• Optimised energy consumption
• Lower downtime and improved plant availability

Advanced Lead Alloy Development

Lead remains essential for anode applications due to its proven electrochemical properties. Royston Lead, together with the IMI Group, builds on this foundation through the development of specialised lead alloys tailored to specific electrolytes and operating conditions.

Our alloy development expertise includes the use of elements such as:

• Silver
• Cadmium
• Tin
• Antimony
• Cobalt

This capability—combined with over a century of lead engineering experience—ensures our anodes deliver process consistency, operational stability, and enhanced durability, even in challenging environments where energy intensity and modulation are critical.

Markets & Applications

Electrowinning & Metal Extraction Electrolysis

High-performance anodes for modern hydrometallurgical operations, including metal recovery from leach solutions.

Electroplating

Lead anodes and sheets suitable for a wide range of electroplating applications—from small-scale component plating to large-scale continuous processes, including heavy coil plating.

Marine & Corrosion Protection

Lead alloy anodes for corrosion protection on ships, piers, and marine structures, delivering long service life in harsh marine environments.

Engineering Support Beyond the Anode

Royston Lead offers end-to-end technical and engineering support, ensuring your anode system performs as intended throughout its lifecycle. Our capabilities include:

• Anode design and specification tailored to your electrolyte and process conditions
• Manufacture and supply of anodes and anode sheets
• Installation and testing support for specialised tanks and vessels
• A highly skilled team of qualified lead burners for on-site support

Sustainability & Anode Recycling

As part of the IMI Group, our service extends well beyond product delivery. We believe in long-term, responsible partnerships that reduce environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.

Royston Lead offers technical consulting, training, anode repair, and recycling services that can:

• Reduce total cost of ownership
• Lower environmental footprint
• Support a fully circular and sustainable supply chain

Our team works closely with customers to align sustainability goals with operational performance and output requirements.

Research & Development

Innovation is embedded in our DNA. With multiple patents across the Group, we continue to invest in the next generation of lead alloy anodes.

Our R&D objectives are clear:

• Further reduce total cost of ownership
• Improve output efficiency and energy management
• Extend useful anode life
• Maintain and enhance environmental circularity

We are focused not only on today’s performance—but on shaping the future of electrochemical processing.

Why Royston Lead Limited

• Trusted, highly experienced team serving global markets
• Rolled and cast anode manufacturing capability
• Advanced metallurgical and alloy expertise for demanding electrolytes
• Proven experience in marine and corrosion protection environments
• Technical consulting and process support
• Ongoing research and development for next-generation anodes
• Engineering repair support, including tanks, vessels, and on-site lead burning
• Circular supply solutions supporting sustainability and cost efficiency

Speak with our technical sales team

Talk to us about your electrowinning, electrolysis, electroplating, or corrosion protection requirements. We’ll help specify the right alloy, anode design, and format to match your process conditions and operational targets.