NTT and Mitsubishi Materials launch NTT Circurust to track recycled metals

NTT Corporation and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation announced their circular venture, NTT Circurust, to accelerate the use of recycled materials and promote resource circulation. The new company will launch on 1 July, and integrates the physical supply of recycled metals with a digital system to track their origin and environmental impact.

The venture focuses on recovering valuable metals, such as copper, from used IT equipment and telecommunications facilities. Recycling processes for these items already exist, but manufacturers often struggle to verify the sustainability of recycled materials due to the lack of data sharing across the supply chain. NTT Circurust aims to bridge this gap by providing characteristic information, including origin, allocation, and environmental load of the materials. This allows product manufacturers to explain their use of recycled resources clearly.

The move aligns with the Japanese government’s Circular Economy Action Plan set in April 2026, which identifies the resilience of recycled resource supply chains as a critical issue. The plan sets a target for approximately 30% of copper produced in Japan to come from recycled sources by 2030. NTT Circurust supports it by securing both the quality and quantity of recycled materials.

Each partner brings specific expertise to the new venture. NTT Corporation provides knowledge in data distribution, traceability technology, and the management of cross-industry platforms. Mitsubishi Materials Corporation contributes its extensive E-Scrap processing capacity and smelting technology. The collaboration ensures that the data provided through the platform is reliable and backed by established industrial processes.

Initially, the company will focus on metal resources derived from IT and communication equipment. The partners intend to expand the information platform to include other materials in the future.