Epson deepens sustainability commitment with launch of metal recycling plant in Japan

JAPAN – Epson Atmix Corporation, a group company of Seiko Epson Corporation, has officially begun full-scale operations at a state-of-the-art metal recycling facility in Hachinohe, northern Japan.

The newly constructed Kita-Inter Plant No. 2 represents a ¥5.5 billion (US$37.20bn) investment in circular manufacturing and resource efficiency.

The facility is designed to recycle scrap metal from Epson’s own factories and surrounding communities, converting it into high-purity metal powders used in metal injection moulding and other advanced industrial applications.

This initiative supports Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050, which aims for carbon-negative operations and complete elimination of exhaustible underground resources by mid-century.

Operating entirely on renewable electricity and liquefied natural gas (LNG), the plant not only embodies Epson’s environmental ideals but also integrates advanced automation for greater safety and productivity.

Features include automated systems for raw material feeding, slag removal, temperature monitoring, and sampling—measures that reduce labour intensity while enhancing precision and operational efficiency.

“This is more than just a recycling facility—it’s a model for how industrial sustainability can scale globally,” said Mukesh Bector, Regional Head – East & West Africa, Epson.

“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.”

The move positions Epson among a growing list of electronics and manufacturing giants actively reshaping their production footprints for sustainability.

The initiative follows Epson’s earlier efforts, including the launch of in-house recycling systems, elimination of plastic packaging in certain regions, and its long-standing use of energy-efficient inkjet printing technologies.

Globally, recycling-based production is becoming a benchmark for industrial innovation, and Epson’s new facility is aligned with this shift.

In Asia and Africa, where industrial waste and e-waste continue to rise, such examples could influence policy and business investments in circular economies.

By integrating circularity, automation, and clean energy into its production backbone, Epson is not only reducing its environmental impact but also setting a replicable standard for the manufacturing sector worldwide.

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