Commercialization of the Rare Metal and Rare Earth Recycling Business at the Iwaki Plant

「In the new business, we are focusing on research and development and establishing a business framework with a battery manufacturer toward launching the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business. As a result of our research and development, we have established a process that both reduces CO₂ emissions and achieves a high recovery rate for rare metals. While continuing research and development aimed at further stabilizing the process and improving production efficiency, we are expanding our Iwaki plant and installing production equipment.」

「The business is progressing steadily toward the start of mass-production operations at our Iwaki plant in April 2028.」

「In the new business, we focused on research and development and collaboration with a battery manufacturer to establish a business framework for commercializing the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business. In research and development, we advanced the establishment of a process that both reduces CO₂ emissions and achieves a high recovery rate for rare metals, and began installing production equipment at our Iwaki plant. Regarding establishment of the business framework, progress toward realizing a business model based on an MOU under which we will undertake part of the recycling of process waste generated at the battery manufacturer’s plant has been steady.」

「We invested approximately ¥600 million in research and development for the LiB recycling business and worked to establish a process that both reduces CO₂ emissions and achieves a high recovery rate for rare metals. Following joint development with a battery manufacturer, we reached an agreement to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which we will eventually undertake part of the recycling of process waste generated at the manufacturer’s plant.」

「In the new business, we focused on research and development and establishing a business framework to commercialize the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business. In research and development, we worked to establish a process that both reduces CO₂ emissions and achieves a high recovery rate for rare metals, while also pursuing joint development with a battery manufacturer. Regarding the establishment of a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we focused on research and development and establishing a business framework to commercialize the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business. In research and development, we worked to establish a process that both reduces CO₂ emissions and achieves a high recovery rate for rare metals, while also pursuing joint development with a battery manufacturer. Regarding the establishment of a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we made significant progress toward commercializing the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business, focusing on research and development and establishing a business framework. This included successfully developing a proprietary process that substantially reduces waste such as CO₂ while recovering rare metals such as lithium from LiBs at a high yield. Regarding collaboration with business partners to establish a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we are continuing to focus on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business and are conducting demonstration testing aimed at establishing a more efficient product manufacturing process. Regarding collaboration with business partners to establish a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we are continuing to focus on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business and are conducting demonstration testing aimed at establishing a more efficient product manufacturing process. Regarding collaboration with business partners to establish a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we are continuing to focus on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business and are conducting demonstration testing aimed at establishing a more efficient product manufacturing process. Regarding collaboration with business partners to establish a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we are continuing to focus on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business and are currently conducting demonstration testing aimed at establishing a more efficient product manufacturing process. Regarding collaboration with business partners to establish a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we are continuing to focus on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business and are currently conducting demonstration testing aimed at establishing a more efficient product manufacturing process. Regarding collaboration with business partners to establish a business framework, negotiations with multiple companies toward alliance agreements are still continuing to form a broad framework.」

「In the new business, we are continuing to focus on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business. As the first step in collaborating with a business partner to establish a business framework, we signed a joint research and development agreement with Toho Zinc Co.,Ltd. to establish a pretreatment process. Beyond the scope of joint research and development, we intend to pursue the business jointly with the company after moving to the commercialization phase, taking advantage of the fact that both factories are located in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture.」

「In the new business, we are continuing to focus on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business. We are making final adjustments to research and development activities toward the planned start of operations at the mass-production plant in January 2022, while continuing discussions with business partners to establish a business framework. In addition, to secure a stable supply of raw materials, we have begun regularly procuring raw materials from a major battery manufacturer.」

「In the new business, we are focusing on the research and development and commercialization of the lithium-ion battery (LiB: Lithium-ion Battery) recycling business. We are at the stage of discussions with business partners aimed at establishing a business framework and making final adjustments to research and development activities ahead of the planned start of operations at the mass-production plant in January 2022.」

「Evaluation testing by manufacturers of rare metals used in LiB materials is almost complete, and we are expected to begin supply from the following fiscal year onward. In addition to our previous efforts, we have also reached a stage where the establishment of technology for “LiB to LiB” is in sight, involving the separation and recovery of valuable metals contained in LiBs, their refining and purification to high-purity levels, and their regeneration into LiB raw materials, with a view to the recycling of spent batteries, which is expected to increase in the future.」

「In the rare-metal business, we are developing recycling technology for rare metals used in lithium-ion secondary battery materials, whose market is expected to expand in the future, while currently conducting evaluation testing with secondary battery materials manufacturers and others. We will continue developing the technology and establishing a mass-production framework, accelerating efforts to commercialize the business at an early stage.」

「In the rare-metal business, we will diversify our products and expand the range of products handled by broadening the range of raw materials collected and improving material-conversion technology. For the recovery of rare metals used in lithium-ion secondary batteries and other products, we will continue evaluation testing with a secondary battery materials manufacturer and accelerate efforts to commercialize the business at an early stage.」

「In the rare-metal business, we are focusing on recovering rare metals used in lithium-ion batteries and other products and have reached the evaluation-testing stage with a secondary battery materials manufacturer.」

「In the rare-metal business, we are focusing on recovering rare metals used in lithium-ion batteries and other products and have reached the evaluation-testing stage with a secondary battery materials manufacturer.」

「In the rare-metal business, we are focusing on recycling rare metals used in lithium-ion batteries and other products and converting them into raw materials, and worked to establish the framework for shipping trial mass-produced products from the third quarter.」

「In the rare-metal business, we will work to develop products and expand sales destinations.」

「In the newly promoted rare-metal business, we worked to develop products and expand sales destinations. During the consolidated fiscal year, we developed materials for electronic components, for which future growth is expected, and expanded our sales destinations. However, because demand for rare-metal products fell below initial expectations, their contribution to performance was deferred until the following consolidated fiscal year and beyond. Going forward, we will focus on developing sales destinations and new products to promote the business so that it can contribute to performance at an early stage.」

「In the newly promoted rare-metal business, in addition to materials for optical glass, sales of which have already begun, we are developing materials for electronic components, for which future growth is expected, and conducting evaluation tests with customers. Although customer approvals have progressed and sales destinations have expanded, demand for the products concerned fell below initial expectations. Going forward, we will focus on developing sales destinations and advancing technological development to promote the business so that it can contribute to performance at an early stage.」

「In the newly promoted rare-metal business, in addition to materials for optical glass, sales of which have begun, we are developing materials for electronic components and conducting evaluation tests with customers. Although customer approvals have progressed and the number of sales destinations has increased, demand for the products concerned has fallen below initial expectations, making sales for the current fiscal year uncertain.」

「In the newly promoted rare metal business, the company has begun selling raw materials for optical glass and is developing raw materials for electronic components and conducting evaluation tests with business partners, with sales targeted to begin in the second half of the fiscal year.」

「Although operating profit benefited from factors including strong performance in the precious metals business, the company also recognized one-time research and development expenses of ¥138.873 million for the rare metal recycling demonstration project, an investment in research and development for the future,」

「During the cumulative third-quarter consolidated period, the Group worked to increase the volume of precious metals handled in Japan and overseas in its precious metals business, pursued activities to increase sales volumes of inorganic chemicals and photocatalysts for exterior walls in its environmental business, and worked to develop new recycling technologies in its rare metal and rare earth business, which is included in the precious metals business.」

「Group-wide research and development expenses during the cumulative second-quarter consolidated period amounted to ¥215.021 million. The principal activity was a rare metal recycling demonstration project, the outline of which is as follows. By promoting the demonstration and commercialization of these three technologies, the Group aims to improve recovery rates, reduce processing costs and reduce its environmental impact. The Group will continue to focus on the rare metal recycling demonstration project, with contributions to sales and profit from the results of research and development expected from the next consolidated fiscal year onward.」

「The ongoing rare metal recycling demonstration project has been selected for the Fukushima Prefecture Innovation Coast Initiative Regional Revitalization Practical Development Promotion Program for fiscal 2016 and is progressing as planned. As previously disclosed, the impact of this technological development on the current consolidated fiscal year is expected to include a one-time research and development expense of approximately ¥170 million in the second-quarter consolidated accounting period. Although no contribution to sales or profit is expected in the current consolidated fiscal year, the company plans to generate sales of ¥1.0 billion three years from now through this technological development.」

「In view of the outlook for this environment, the Group will continue expanding its rare metal and rare earth recycling business and precious metals business at its Malaysian subsidiary, further improving the efficiency of existing businesses and reducing costs through automation of manufacturing processes, and investing in technological development for rare metals and rare earths to strengthen its corporate foundation.」

「Against this backdrop, the Group has been working to launch a rare metal and rare earth recycling business at the Iwaki Plant and a precious metals business at its Malaysian subsidiary. The Iwaki Plant had previously focused mainly on research and development, but made its first product shipment in January and began operations as a manufacturing plant.」