Panasonic and JX Metals to create closed-loop scheme for recycled copper

Panasonic Corporation and JX Metals Corporation have announced a new partnership to create a circular resource scheme for copper. Beginning in September, their new scheme will recover copper from end-of-life home appliances and reprocess it for use in new Panasonic Group products, establishing a closed-loop system with enhanced traceability.

For many years, Panasonic has recycled materials from used appliances under Japan’s Home Appliance Recycling Law. Copper scrap recovered from items such as air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators and washing machines was sold to smelters for reprocessing into electrolytic copper. However, the company could not accurately track the volume of this recycled copper that was subsequently used in its own products.

The new scheme addresses this challenge by utilising a mass balance approach adopted by JX Metals. Panasonic’s subsidiary, Panasonic ET Solutions Co., Ltd., will collect copper scrap from its recycling plants across Japan and supply it to JX Metals. The system allows JX Metals to manage the volume of copper originating from Panasonic’s scrap and, using a mass balance approach, produce an equivalent amount of electrolytic copper that is attributed to that recycled source. This management system for the chain of custody is verified by a third party based on standards such as ISO 22095.

This process yields electrolytic copper that can be considered as made entirely from scrap. By avoiding the fuel- and electricity-intensive processes of mining and smelting virgin ore, the resulting material has a significantly lower carbon footprint. According to JX Metals’ calculations, this process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately two to three tonnes per tonne of electrolytic copper produced.

Looking ahead, Panasonic will work to strengthen its copper scrap collection systems, while JX Metals will focus on advancing its recycling technology and management framework. Both companies aim cement themselves as partners in resource circulation, aligning with the Japanese government’s promotion of a circular economy.