Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (TYO: 8031), one of Japan’s largest sogo shosha, announced it has decided to invest in MTC Business Private Ltd. (MTC), a major metal recycling company headquartered in Mumbai, India.

After the investment, MTC will become an equity method affiliate of Mitsui.

MTC is one of India’s leading metal recyclers, operating over 30 facilities across the country focused on collecting, processing, transporting and distributing ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal.

The company is expanding into recycling end-of-life vehicles and used batteries as it aims to become an integrated recycler capable of handling a wide range of waste materials.

This strategic investment will allow Mitsui to contribute to establishing a recycled resources supply chain and realising a decarbonised society in India as the country’s economy and infrastructure rapidly develops.

India’s accelerating economic growth, population increase, and infrastructure projects like highways and high-speed rail are driving significant expansion in manufacturing sectors like automotive production.

To meet anticipated rising steel demand, India’s steelmaking industry plans to boost production capacity, requiring more recycled metal scrap as a raw material input to reduce carbon emissions.

The investment aligns with Mitsui’s Medium-term Management Plan 2026, which prioritises “Industrial Business Solutions” by securing stable supplies of key resources and materials essential for societal development.

Mitsui has deep experience in ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including investments in major global recyclers like Australia’s Sims Limited and Japan’s MM Kenzai.

The company aims to provide industrial solutions that enable the circular economy through urban mining and metal recycling worldwide.