TANAKA and MEP to launch precious metal refinery in Malaysia

TANAKA Precious Metal Technologies and Malaysia-based MEP Enviro Technology Sdn. Bhd. have announced a joint venture to establish TANAKA MEP REFINERY SDN. BHD. The new facility will be located in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park in Penang, Malaysia.

Under the agreement, TANAKA will hold a 66.7% stake and MEP will hold 33.3%. The refinery is designed to analyze recovered materials, refine precious metals to a purity of 4N (99.99%), and manage the manufacture, import, export, and sale of precious metal products. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in April 2029.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 8, 2026, attended by the Governor of Penang, the Chief Minister of Penang, and the Consul-General of Japan in Penang. The venture aims to meet growing demand for precious metal recycling within the semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing sectors across Malaysia and the ASEAN region, supporting circular economy initiatives and environmental regulations.