Asahi Kasei, Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel Trading recycle electrolysis cell titanium scrap into pure titanium
- Launched March 18, 2026, Asahi Kasei, Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel Trading began recycling pure titanium scrap from chlor-alkali electrolysis cell production into remelted high-purity titanium.
- Scrap is collected at Asahi Kasei’s Nobeoka site, processed by Nippon Steel Trading with strict contamination control and digital traceability, then returned to Nippon Steel for electron-beam remelting.
- Chlor-alkali electrolysis of brine yields caustic soda, chlorine and hydrogen, and uses high-purity titanium for anodes due to chlorine corrosion resistance.
- Partners aim to increase titanium recycling rates and link the initiative with closed-loop precious-metals recycling projects announced in April 2025.
Initiative launch
On March 18, 2026 Asahi Kasei, Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel Trading launched a recycling program to convert pure titanium scrap from chlor‑alkali electrolysis cell manufacturing into remelted high‑purity titanium.
Material and site
Scrap originates from anode components used to protect cells from chlorine corrosion; the material is collected at Asahi Kasei’s Nobeoka production site and requires very high purity and strict impurity control for reuse.
Process and logistics
Asahi Kasei maintains digital traceability and contamination controls during collection; Nippon Steel Trading processes and sorts the material into remelting‑grade feedstock, and a portion is returned to Nippon Steel for electron‑beam remelting into pure titanium.
Context and next steps
Partners plan to raise the titanium recycling rate and integrate this work with other circularity projects, including a closed‑loop precious‑metals recycling effort announced in April 2025.
Source: Asahi Kasei