Mitsui Kinzoku Company, Limited (President: Seiji Ikenobu; “Mitsui Kinzoku”) announces that it will begin to supply copper cathodes designated as 100% recycled under an ISO 22095-2-compliant mass balance method by Hibi Kyodo Smelting Co., Ltd. (President: Ryuchi Takahashi; hereinafter, “Hibi Kyodo Smelting”), a Mitsui Kinzoku Group company.
The copper smelting industry produces copper cathodes using copper concentrates and recycled raw materials. Hibi Kyodo Smelting is focused on the proactive recycling of raw materials with a view toward contributing to a recycling-oriented society and achieving one of the highest recycling input ratios in the industry. Hibi Kyodo Smelting uses the mass balance method within its Chain of Custody (CoC) system to establish a system that provides customers with environmental value by supplying copper products made from recycled raw materials. Hibi Kyodo Smelting has undergone third-party validation and obtained assurance of its system from DNV Business Assurance, Japan Co., Ltd., a third-party assurance company.
Like the Copper Mark certification in April 2025, and a third-party assurance regarding CFP for copper cathodes in October 2025, Mitsui Kinzoku considers obtaining this assurance to be an important step for Hibi Kyodo Smelting to further advance as a sustainable copper smelter.
Mitsui Kinzoku’s metals business has a mission of providing solutions that help build a sustainable world. Mitsui Kinzoku positions this initiative as a step toward the provision of greater environmental value to customers.
Mitsui Kinzoku plans to sell products corresponding to its share through Pan Pacific Copper Co., Ltd., a joint venture.
In accordance with Our Purpose, which states, “We promote the well-being of the world through a spirit of exploration and diverse technologies,” we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by implementing its vision for 2030, “Building new businesses－and the future－with our material intelligence.”
Please check the below PDF file for details.
Start of Supply of 100% Recycled Copper Cathodes Using the Mass Balance Method