Yamamoto Precious Metal Raises PGM Recycle Capacity by 80%

Yamamoto Precious Metal, Osaka based precious metal material trader, manufacturer and recycler, raises platinum and palladium recycling capacity by 80%. The firm introduces additional facilities in hydrometallurgy process of Kochi no.1 factory, Japan. The new facilities are scheduled to enter full operation in mid 2011. The firm trades precious metals while produces precious metal materials for dental and industrial use by integrated production system.

Yamamoto Precious Metal recently applied for governmental subsidy for Japanese rare earth industry. Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry approved 80 million yen subsidy for Yamamoto Precious Metal’s new facility introduction. The firm will spend total 150 million yen for new facility introduction including the subsidy.

Kochi no.1 plant has precious metal recycling and refining lines. Recycling process is to dissolve precious metal scrap, mainly containing gold and silver, by acid, to collect crude gold and crude silver by input of reducing agent, and to refine gold and silver by electrolytic deposition. When recycling platinum and palladium, several times reducing processes are required at present.

Yamamoto Precious Metal expects for max 80% recycling capacity up for platinum and palladium by introduction of additional reducing equipments. The firm will order the facilities within this month. The new facilities will start operation in early May and enter full operation in mid 2011.

The firm also develops and manufactures precious metal sputtering target material, powder and paste as well as ingot. The firm plans to return recycled metals to industrial use when the output increases. Meanwhile, the firm eyes development of new applications of platinum group metals.