Epson Opens New Metal-Recycling Plant

Epson Atmix Corporation (“Atmix”), a group company of Seiko Epson Corporation has begun full operations at a new metal-recycling plant in Hachinohe, Japan. 

Built at a cost of approximately KES 4,895 billion (¥5.5 billion), the Kita-Inter Plant No. 2 will turn scrap metal from Epson factories and local communities into high-quality powders for metal injection moulding and other advanced manufacturing processes. The facility runs on renewable electricity and incorporates automated material-handling systems to boost efficiency and safety. 

“Sustainability is no longer a distant goal; it is a business imperative for Africa as much as for the rest of the world. By closing the loop on metal use, Epson is proving that resource efficiency and industrial growth can and must go hand in hand. The lessons we learn in Japan will help us and our partners across East and West Africa build greener, more resilient supply chains,” says Mukesh Bector, Regional Head – East & West Africa, Epson

The new plant supports Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050, which targets carbon-negative operations and the elimination of exhaustible underground resources by mid-century. By replacing virgin blast-furnace iron with recycled feedstock, Epson expects significant reductions in CO emissions while securing a stable supply of metal powders for next-generation, energy-efficient devices.

The plant features sustainable energy use through the utilization of renewable electricity and liquefied natural gas (LNG), significantly reducing its environmental impact. It also incorporates advanced automation technologies, including automated raw material input, slag removal robots, and systems for automatic temperature measurement and sampling, all designed to minimize labor requirements and enhance operational efficiency.

 

Nixon Kanali

Nixon Kanali is the Founder and Editor of TechTrends Media, publishers of Econews and TechTrends. Nixon is also the East African tech editor for Africa Business Communities. Send tips to kanali@techtrendsmedia.co.ke

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