Sustainable, circular economics continue to gain attention. Industries and governments are urging greater waste management accountability and MM Metal Recycling (MMMR), a subsidiary of Japan’s Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC), is at the forefront of this movement.
Specializing in the collection, inspection, sampling and recycling of electronic waste or ‘e-scrap’, MMMR transforms discarded electronics into reusable materials, reducing landfill waste and reintegrating valuable resources back into production cycles.
“MMMR is in a prime position to grow,” says chief operating officer (COO) Harald Wagemaker. “With policies driving circular economies and Europe emerging as a dynamic market for e-scrap recycling, advanced facilities are essential for efficient material processing. MMC has been recovering copper and precious metals from e-scrap since the last century and today, two of our three smelters produce metals from both primary feedstock and e-scrap materials.”
In Japan, MMC’s Naoshima Smelter and Refinery utilizes Mitsubishi’s continuous copper smelting technology, a unique precious metals smelting approach that minimizes environmental impact.
Naoshima’s e-scrap processing capacity has reached 160,000 tons per year, the highest in the world and group company Onahama Smelting and Refining Co., Ltd. has steadily increased its e-scrap processing volume since 2013.
“Our processing capabilities, coupled with MMC’s strategic vision align perfectly with anticipated market growth,” states Wagemaker. “While we are thrilled about the direction we are heading, we continuously seek innovative methods to enhance our e-scrap recycling processes while remaining attuned to industry trends and technologies. My prior experience with a Japanese firm has instilled in me a strong emphasis on collaboration, precision and long-term strategies and by embracing continuous improvement principles like ‘Kaizen’, I prioritize process optimization and team alignment to ensure every step is executed with care and a collective buy-in.”
While we are thrilled about the direction we are heading, we continuously seek innovative methods to enhance our e-scrap recycling processes while remaining attuned to industry trends and technologies.
Harald Wagemaker, Chief Operating Officer of MM Metal Recycling
Adapting this structured approach to Europe’s business environment requires balancing rigidity with the flexibility necessary to navigate the Europe’s diverse regulatory landscape and evolving circular economy objectives.
While driving operational excellence at MMMR, in April this year Wagemaker became COO of MMC’s European headquarters; Mitsubishi Materials Europe B.V.
“This role allows me to forge cross-border industry partnerships and collaborate with producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks,” explains Wagemaker.
“My experiences working with Japan enable me to anticipate challenges, plan strategically and lead with a global perspective rooted in Japanese efficiency, all the while adopting European innovations.”
Mirroring MMC’s eco-commitments in Japan (the company is the largest owner of forest land), MMMR has initiated small-scale biodiversity efforts including tree-planting and collaborative projects with local partners to reduce nitrogen levels.
“We remain dedicated to refining our processes to enhance our broader strategy of creating value through sustainable practices,” concludes Wagemaker.
