Japan: Construction, automotive sectors accelerate closed-loop scrap recycling

• • Shimizu recycles 25,000 t demolition scrap into rebars for same site

• • Honda stresses on improving ELV scrap purity for “car-to-car” recycling

Japan Metal Daily: Japan’s major steel-consuming industries are strengthening efforts to expand ferrous scrap recycling in line with carbon neutrality and circular economy goals. At the fourth Advanced Recycling Study Group on Iron Scrap seminar held in Tokyo, construction and automotive sector representatives highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at improving scrap utilisation and resource circulation.

Shimizu Corporation presented a closed-loop recycling project in which approximately 25,000 t of demolition scrap generated in Tokyo was recycled into reinforcing bars used in newly constructed buildings at the same project site. The company noted that dedicated recycling channels were established across demolition contractors, scrap processors, traders, and electric arc furnace steelmakers to ensure traceable resource circulation.

Honda targets higher-quality recycled steel usage:

Honda R&D Research Institute outlined its efforts to increase recycled steel usage in vehicle production through technological improvements. The company has developed chemical treatment solutions that maintain paint adhesion standards even on steel sheets containing more than 0.2% copper, a key challenge associated with recycled steel.

Honda also highlighted the need to improve the purity of end-of-life vehicle (ELV) scrap to enable large-scale “car-to-car” recycling. According to the company, reducing residual copper and other tramp elements will be essential to expanding high-quality steel recycling within the automotive sector.

Industry collaboration supports circular economy goals:

The study group, led by the University of Tokyo, brings together 29 organisations, including steelmakers, scrap recyclers, traders, automakers, construction companies, and government agencies. Market participants noted that stronger collaboration across the steel value chain could support higher-quality scrap utilisation and improve long-term recycling efficiency as Japan advances its decarbonisation objectives.

Note: This article has been written in accordance with a content exchange agreement between Japan Metal Daily and BigMint.