Mitsui lauches battery recycling joint venture in Japan

Tokyo-based Mitsui has formed a joint venture with Japanese firm Volta and Singapore’s Miracle Eternal PTE to boost battery recycling.

The newly established J-Cycle will begin operating a plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan this September, pending regulatory approvals. J-Cycle aims to produce and sell black mass from end-of-life batteries and production scrap.

The venture will leverage Mitsui’s battery business expertise, Volta’s recycling management skills, and Miracle Eternal’s raw material procurement capabilities.

Mitsui says the push towards electrification is vital for decarbonising the mobility sector. Establishing a reliable supply of raw materials for electric vehicle batteries and a sustainable recycling system for end-of-life batteries is crucial for this transition.

As part of a ‘global energy transition’ under its medium-term management plan for 2026, Mitsui wants to create a stable energy supply chain and address climate change through strategic ventures.

By advancing battery recycling domestically and internationally, Mitsui aims to secure a steady supply of critical minerals and promote a circular economy.