- Asahi Kasei (AHKSY, Financial) launches a joint project with Nobian, Furuya Metal, and Mastermelt to recycle precious metals from electrolyzer components.
- The project aims to build a circular economy in the chlor-alkali industry by reusing metals like iridium and ruthenium.
- This initiative complements Asahi Kasei's efforts towards sustainable solutions, including green hydrogen production.
Asahi Kasei (AHKSY), a Japanese technology company, has embarked on a collaborative project with Nobian, Furuya Metal, and Mastermelt to recycle metals from electrolyzer components used in the production of caustic soda. The initiative, which commenced in February 2025, aims to establish a circular economy within the chlor-alkali industry by focusing on the recovery and reuse of precious metals such as iridium and ruthenium.
The recycling process begins with Asahi Kasei collecting end-of-life electrodes from Nobian. These are then passed on to Mastermelt and Furuya Metal, who are responsible for extracting and purifying the metals from the catalysts. The recovered metals are subsequently used to create new catalysts for coating electrodes, ensuring the sustainable production of caustic soda and chlorine within the industry.
Yoshifumi Kado, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei's Ion Exchange Membrane & Electrolysis System Division, highlighted the significance of this demonstration in fostering circular economy solutions. He emphasized the collective expertise of the project partners in maximizing the value derived from precious metals used in electrolyzer technology, thus transforming sustainability goals into scalable outcomes.
Additionally, these recycling efforts have potential applications in Asahi Kasei's electrolysis systems for green hydrogen production, aligning with the company's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. This project follows the launch of the AlkaNexus brand in late 2024, which serves as a comprehensive solution for the chlor-alkali industry by integrating advanced services such as data analysis and plant operations optimization.
