This initiative represents a collaboration between TANAKA, committed to advancing a circular economy in the precious metals field, and JEPLAN, which has been pursuing similar goals in the plastics field, with both companies aiming to achieve a decarbonized, circular society.

TANAKA’s Initiatives Thus Far for Realizing a Circular Society

Since its founding in 1885, TANAKA has been a leader in the precious metals industry, actively engaged in recycling these limited and valuable resources. Among the process waste materials received from customers who request recycling, those containing organic materials (plastics) as main components with precious metals attached or adsorbed have traditionally been processed through incineration to remove the organic materials, with precious metals then recovered from the ash left behind.

While this incineration process has addressed the removal of environmentally regulated substances, the reduction of CO₂ generated during the combustion of organic materials has become a major challenge in realizing a decarbonized society.

Transforming the Precious Metal Recovery Process Through a Business Partnership with JEPLAN

JEPLAN has established proprietary chemical recycling technology for polyethylene terephthalate, a type of plastic. To address the aforementioned CO₂ emissions issue, TANAKA is considering using chemical recycling in the future, in addition to the conventional precious metal recovery process through incineration. This initiative is being explored through a business partnership with JEPLAN. The materials targeted for chemical processing include plastics such as syringes and wiping cloths. CO₂ emissions from the targeted precious metal recovery process are expected to be reduced to approximately 10% of conventional levels.

In addition, this process enables not only precious metal recovery, but also plastic regeneration, with TANAKA and JEPLAN each contributing to the realization of a decarbonized, circular society through their respective areas of expertise.

JEPLAN, INC. ( https://www.jeplan.co.jp/en/ )

Representative: Masaki Takao, Representative Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Established: January 2007
Main Business: Business based and related to PET chemical recycling technology (for PET bottles, polyester), etc.

The JEPLAN Group aims to realize a circular economy with its mission of "We circulate our world." We use our proprietary PET chemical recycling technology to break down waste PET (PET bottles, polyester fibers, etc.) into molecules and remove impurities, regenerating it into recycled materials of the same quality as petroleum-derived materials. Through our recycling efforts using this proprietary technology, we are realizing the recycling of limited resources and contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.
The JEPLAN Group operates PET chemical recycling plants at two locations, PET REFINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, for PET bottles) and Kitakyushu Hibikinada Plant (Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, for polyester fibers), and is also promoting technology licensing in Japan and overseas.

About TANAKA

Since its foundation in 1885, TANAKA has built a portfolio of products to support a diversified range of business uses focused on precious metals. TANAKA is a leader in Japan regarding the volume of precious metals it handles. Over many years, TANAKA has manufactured and sold precious metal products for industry and provided precious metals in such forms as jewelry and assets. As precious metals specialists, all Group companies in Japan and worldwide collaborate on manufacturing, sales, and technology development to offer a full range of products and services. With 5,591 employees, the group’s consolidated net sales for the fiscal year ending December 2024, was 846.9 billion yen.

TANAKA Industrial Precious Metal Materials Portal
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com

Product inquiries
TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd.
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-on-industrial-products/

Press inquiries
TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd.
https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/

Press release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20250731.pdf