Mitsubishi Electric is promoting the recycling of discarded air conditioners to recover rare earths and is reported to have cut new procurement by 35%. The initiative is being highlighted as part of the circular economy and from the perspective of resource security.
Mitsubishi Electric is advancing an initiative to recycle discarded air conditioners and recover rare earths. This includes a process for extracting useful resources from waste and is being presented as part of the company’s resource-circulation efforts.
As a result of this initiative, the company is reported to have reduced the volume of newly procured rare earths by 35%. The specific methods and breakdown of the quantities recovered are detailed in the article, but here only the figure is being presented as the key fact.
Nikkei Business presents this development in the context of the circular economy evolving from an environmental initiative into an industrial strategy supporting resource security.