- Region: North America
- Machinery and Equipment
- Equity Investment
-
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC; Governor: HAYASHI Nobumitsu) made an equity investment in SUN METALON Inc. (Sun Metalon; CEO: NISHIOKA Kazuhiko), a U.S. company with Japanese founders. The investment was made through JBIC’s Special Operations Account*1 and was the first startup investment based on its Startup Investment Strategy*2.
-
Founded in 2021, Sun Metalon develops, manufactures, and sells equipment for metal waste recycling in the U.S. and Japan. Its proprietary metal heating technology transforms contaminated, low-value waste (e.g., swarf, sludge, chips, turnings), most of which used to be discarded and end up in landfills, into high-value metal directly on-site, making metal recycling more cost-effective while significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Its novel solutions will contribute toward the realization of decarbonization and a circular economy in the metal industry, including steel and manufacturing sectors globally.
-
The investment will support Sun Metalon’s global expansion, thereby contributing toward strengthening the international competitiveness of Japanese industry. Additionally, in the Startup Development Five-year Plan, approved by the Cabinet in November 2022, the Japanese government announced its goals, which include nurturing startups that aggressively challenge the global market. This investment is in line with the government policy.
-
As Japan's policy-based financial institution, JBIC will contribute to the development of Japan’s startup ecosystem by supporting the overseas expansion of Japanese startups and promoting collaboration between foreign startups and Japanese companies. This will be achieved through investment activities and support for portfolio companies based on its Startup Investment Strategy.
Note
- *1
For information about the Special Operations, see Announcement on October 3, 2016.
- *2