Japan's Tanaka Precious Metal Group has announced a strategic joint venture with Malaysian recycler MEP to establish a precious metal recycling plant in Malaysia [1]. The facility, operating under the name Tanaka MEP Refinery, is scheduled to commence operations in April 2029 [1]. The recycling plant will focus on recovering scrap containing precious metals from semiconductor and electronic component production, with the primary goal of supplying gold and other precious metals to the semiconductor industry [1].
This initiative addresses the growing demand for recycled precious metals in chipmaking, as the semiconductor industry increasingly seeks sustainable sourcing solutions. The April 2029 operational timeline indicates a multi-year development and construction phase for the facility [1]. By establishing this recycling capability in Malaysia, Tanaka Precious Metal Group positions itself to capture value from semiconductor manufacturing waste streams while supporting the industry's supply chain resilience for critical materials.
CONCLUSION
Tanaka Precious Metal Group's joint venture with Malaysian recycler MEP represents a strategic expansion into semiconductor-grade precious metal recycling, with operations targeted for April 2029. This move addresses supply chain sustainability in the semiconductor industry and creates a new revenue stream from electronic waste recovery.