Japan Bank for International Cooperation ( JBIC ) has made an equity investment in Sun Metalon, a US company with Japanese founders. The investment was made through JBIC’s special operations account, and was the first agreement based on its start-up investment strategy.

Founded in 2021, Sun Metalon develops, manufactures, and sells equipment for metal waste recycling in the US and Japan. Its proprietary metal heating technology transforms contaminated, low-value waste ( e.g., swarf, sludge, chips, turnings ), most of which used to end up in landfills, into high-value metal directly on-site, making metal recycling more cost-effective while significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The company’s novel solutions will contribute towards decarbonization and a circular economy in the metal industry, including the steel and manufacturing sectors, JBIC says.

The investment will support Sun Metalon’s global expansion, thereby contributing to strengthening the international competitiveness of the Japanese industry.