Japanese Firm Setting Up Platinum Recycling Operation in U.S.

Dowa Mining Co. said it will set up a new recycling company in the United States later this month to remove platinum from automotive exhaust-cleaning systems, according to press reports.

The cost of the venture is expected to be around $1 million. Dowa Mining, a Japanese basic materials concern, will have a 51 percent stake in the operation. The rest of the capital will be provided by Tanaka Kikinzoku, Kogyo KK and Toyota Tsusho Corp.

It will pulverize the catalyst from exhaust systems and then study the amount of platinum in waste products. Operations are to begin next August.

Dowa Mining already processes 300 tons of used catalyst a month and recovers the platinum. About half the catalyst is recovered from the U.S. Until now, the material has been transported to Japan for crushing. By transferring pulverizing operations to the new company, recovery time will be shortened by 75 percent and the amount of catalyst that can be handled will be doubled.