Precious Metals Business

By recycling and refining the precious metals indispensable for modern manufacturing, we are contributing to the effective utilization of resources and the development of industry.

Business Fields

Business Domains Supporting Precious Metals Recycling

  • E-scrap
    E-scrap
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Palladium
    Electronic substrates used in personal computers, smartphones and home appliances contain gold, silver and palladium. We collect manufacturing process scrap and electronic substrates from used products. We then put them through various processes such as crushing and sorting to recover and recycle precious metals. Our precise sampling and advanced analysis techniques are just some of the strengths we offer.
  • Precision Cleaning
    Precision Cleaning
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Palladium
    • Platinum
    We strive to ensure the quality of equipment used by customers in their electronic component and semiconductor manufacturing processes by regularly and precisely cleaning them. Customers entrust us with their equipment parts, and we perform stripping and recovery of precious metals adhering to them. The recovered precious metals are returned to the customers upon request.
  • Plating Treatment
    Plating Treatment
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Palladium
    Since precious metal plating is an excellent way to prevent corrosion and enhance electrical conductivity, it is used in various applications from industrial to decorative products. Utilizing a proprietary electrolytic precious metal recovery system, we recover and recycle the precious metals remaining in plating solutions. We also return the recovered materials to customers in the form of the precious metal compound of their request.
  • Catalyst
    Catalyst
    • Palladium
    • Platinum
    • Rhodium
    Automobiles are equipped with catalytic converters to detoxify harmful substances in exhaust gas, and precious metals such as palladium and platinum are used in these devices. We use our original technologies to recycle precious metals from automotive, chemical and other catalysts converters.
  • Dentistry
    Dentistry
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Palladium
    • Platinum
    Gold-silver-palladium alloys are the main materials in dental prostheses such as crowns and inlays, and the percentage of precious metal content varies by type. Customers such as dental clinics and laboratories provide us with waste containing these metals and we recycle them. We offer highvalue recovery with our own system for integrated management of collection, assay and reporting.
  • Jewelry
    Jewelry
    • Gold
    • Silver
    • Palladium
    • Platinum
    We collect and recycle precious metals from jewelry and ornaments that are no longer needed as well as precious metal scrap generated at each stage of the manufacturing process from purchasers, manufacturers, and processors. In addition to accurate analysis, we offer high-quality precious metal ingot products, while also returning raw materials to manufacturing and processing company customers.

Collecting and Recycling Precious Metals

We have deployed manufacturing operations in Japan and elsewhere in Asia that enable the most efficient recovery of precious metals and carry out optimal processing of recyclable materials depending on the different characteristics and admixtures in the business fields where we collect materials. Furthermore, we accurately meet customer needs by fully utilizing optimal methods and efficient refining facilities depending on the type of precious or rare metal.

Collecting and Recycling Precious Metals

North American Refining Business

Asahi Refining USA, Canada, and Florida are engaged in refining gold and silver from mines in the United States and Canada, and they boast a top-level refining volume in the world. Gold and silver raw materials received from mining companies differ greatly from the raw materials handled in Japan and in Asia in terms of the precious metal content, the makeup of impurities, and the volume received. In North America, dry refining technologies are principally used to handle the raw materials, which are melted at high temperatures to separate out the precious metals. They also striving to develop new services using our refining business as a platform, while responding to the diverse needs of our customers with financial services and high-value-added products.

North American Refining Business

Responsible Management of Precious Metals

To ensure that our customers around the world can use our precious metal products free from concerns, we have established a control system in accordance with guidance from bodies such as the OECD, the LBMA and the LPPM, with inspection and certification by third-party organizations.

      
認定証
認定証
認定証

In July 2019, Asahi Pretec (now ASAHI METALFINE) became the first Japanese refiner to obtain the Code of Practices (COP) certification from the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). In July 2021, the company also obtained the Chain of Custody (COC) certification. The RJC is an international non-profit organization that promotes ethical, socially responsible and environmentally responsible handling of gold, platinum, diamonds and other precious metals in the jewelry industry from mining to retail. Asahi Pretec's operations meet the RJC's strict standard for code of practices on ethics, human rights, society, and the environment, due diligence and traceability, and the company is now the only refiner in Japan to achieve both the RJC's COP and COC certifications. Asahi Pretec will continue to undertake business activities and initiatives in compliance with RJC standards and fulfill its responsibilities as a member of the precious metals supply chain.

Responsible Jewellery Council

Responsible Management of Precious Metals

Asahi Pretec and ASAHI METALFINE have established a Responsible Precious Metals Management Policy for the precious metals supply chain, with the aim of avoiding human rights violations in conflict zones, money laundering, fraudulent transactions, and funds going to terrorists. To achieve this, we have set up a responsible precious metals management system that complies with LBMA, LPPM and RJC guidance. The system is also maintained and improved by obtaining certification from a relevant third-party organization and by undergoing regular independent audits.
In order to support one of the Group's priority SDG-related goals -- supplying precious metals in ways that are friendly to people, society, and the environment -- Asahi Pretec is striving to help build and maintain the Asahi brand. We want to ensure that our brand can be trusted by customers around the world, allowing them to procure precious metal products that help protect human rights and the environment.

Responsible Precious Metals Management Policy

Asahi Pretec
https://www.asahipretec.com/responsible-sourcing/

ASAHI METALFINE
https://www.asahimetalfine.com/en/responsible-sourcing/

Solving social issues through business activities

Social issues relating to the Precious Metals Business

  • Depletion of precious metal resources

    Human rights and labor issues related to mining
  • Environmental destruction during mining

    Money laundering and terrorism financing risk, etc

Contributing to the SDGs

  • RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

    Leveraging precious metal recycling to turn consumption into production, transforming waste into precious metal resources

  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

    Contributing to industrial sustainability by continually improving our highly efficient and high-quality precious metal recycling technologies

  • LIFE ON LAND

    Helping to preserve terrestrial ecosystems, forests, and other land-based resources by expanding precious metal recycling, instead of mining

  • PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

    Promoting peaceful, inclusive societies by practicing responsible precious metal management and transparent procurement

  • CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

    Contributing to sustainable water use by practicing precious metal recycling without contaminant discharge

  • DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

    Helping to protect human rights and prevent child labor in high-risk regions such as conflict zones

  • CLIMATE ACTION

    Helping to prevent climate change by supplying recycled resources with low CO2 emissions

  • PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

    Promoting high levels of sustainability by collaborating with other companies