Mitsubishi Materials Corporation is taking a “first-of-its-kind” step by moving its operations. They have announced cuts to copper concentrate processing in order to address short term market pressures. As a result, the company is dramatically increasing its recycling efforts. For example, they’re particularly training their sights on enhancing production at their Onahama plant, located within Japan’s Fukushima prefecture. This transition will not only better stabilize production, but help reduce the dangers of global copper market prices that can change suddenly and worldwide market dependencies.
In Japan, Mitsubishi Materials has announced it will reduce processing of copper concentrates. This alteration follows a two-year downturn in earnings across their smelting sector. Nonetheless, demand for copper is now facing headwinds, mainly from geopolitical tensions and supply chain issues. The company understands that in order to respond to these challenges, they need to change their operational strategies. To ensure the future of Mitsubishi Materials’ operations, they are heavily investing in recycling. Yet, they hope to do their part in improving environmental sustainability.
The Onahama facility is a key part of Mitsubishi Materials’ new strategy. The facility will make use of advanced technology and processes to increase the facility’s recycling capabilities. This upgrade will allow for a much more efficient recovery of copper from scrap substrates. This initiative is squarely within the industry’s increasing inclination to practice resilience. Businesses are just starting to understand the full importance of recycling—in terms of both increasing supply chain resilience and reducing our dependence on raw material imports, particularly from China.
The Onahama site’s culture of recycling has positioned it well to respond to the increasing global demand for green supply chain solutions. This step is a testament to the mining and metals industry’s dedication to EES practices. With environmental regulations around the world becoming more stringent, Mitsubishi Materials is reaffirming its focus on responsible production practices. They want to be at the forefront, as consumers are increasingly paying attention to their carbon footprints. This investment goes beyond responding to today’s market demands, it makes room for greater growth potential down the line.