TANAKA Precious Metal Technologies and MEP Enviro Technology are forming a new joint venture in Malaysia aimed at expanding precious metals recycling and refining capacity for the ASEAN electronics and semiconductor industries. Accordingly, the move reflects the growing industry emphasis on circular resource use and regional supply resilience.

The companies announced plans to establish TANAKA MEP REFINERY SDN. BHD. in Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Penang. TANAKA will hold a 66.7% stake in the venture, while MEP will own the remaining 33.3%. Operations are scheduled to begin in April 2029.

The new facility will analyze recovered materials, refine precious metals to 4N purity (99.99%), and manufacture, import, export and sell precious metal products. According to the companies, the operation is designed to address increasing demand for recovery and recycling of precious metal-containing scrap generated by electronics and semiconductor manufacturing activities across Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region.

Supporting Regional Circular Manufacturing

The venture emerges as manufacturers place greater emphasis on recovering valuable materials from production waste and electronic equipment at end of life. TANAKA and MEP said environmental regulations and circular economy initiatives are increasing the importance of processing and recycling materials within the countries and regions where they are generated.

Under the planned operating model, MEP will preprocess recovered materials before they are transferred to the new venture for analysis and refining. The company will also manufacture and distribute precious metal products and engage in trading, leasing and storage of precious metal bullion.

Initially, the facility is expected to produce 4N gold and potassium gold cyanide, materials used by the electrical, electronics and semiconductor sectors.

Building on Existing Collaboration

The announcement builds on a technical assistance agreement signed by TANAKA and MEP in August 2024 focused on precious metal recovery. Since then, the companies have worked together to advance recycling activities in Malaysia.

TANAKA said the venture will combine its refining and processing expertise with capabilities in quality control and production management to establish an integrated precious metal recycling framework within Malaysia.

The project also extends TANAKA’s broader strategy of developing a global precious metals recycling network. The company currently operates recovery and refining facilities in Japan, Europe, North America, China, Taiwan and other regions. The addition of the Penang facility is expected to strengthen its recycling operations across ASEAN while supporting efforts to secure stable supplies of precious metals through resource recovery and reuse.

26 October 2026