Mitsubishi Corporation has agreed to invest in DEScycle Ltd., a UK deep-tech startup pioneering environmentally friendly metal recovery technology from electronic waste, as part of a strategic partnership to commercialize sustainable recycling solutions.
The deal will see Mitsubishi acquire shares in DEScycle and collaborate on marketing metals extracted through the company’s proprietary process, which uses Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) to dissolve metals at room temperature—significantly reducing energy use and environmental impact compared to conventional smelting.
“With the increasing volume of e-waste driven by data center expansion and AI integration, the need for sustainable urban mining solutions has never been greater,” Mitsubishi said in a statement. “DEScycle’s technology presents a compelling alternative to current high-emission recycling methods.”
Electronic scrap, or e-scrap, contains valuable metals such as copper and precious metals. Despite its value, a large portion still ends up in landfills due to the lack of clean, scalable recycling options.
DEScycle’s method enables selective metal recovery in a low-energy, non-toxic process, making it a strong candidate for addressing the growing waste problem.
The funding from Mitsubishi and other investors will support DEScycle’s pilot plant in the UK, with commercial-scale operations set to begin by 2028.
The facility is designed to handle up to 5,000 tons of e-waste annually, with expansion plans targeting North America, Japan, and additional markets.
Mitsubishi will leverage its global trading network to distribute metals recovered using DEScycle’s process and will co-develop business expansion strategies to scale the technology globally.
Founded with a mission to disrupt the $100 billion e-waste market, DEScycle positions its DES-based chemistry as a low-carbon, low-toxicity alternative for the metals industry. The partnership with Mitsubishi underscores growing corporate interest in circular economy models and green tech investment.
Business News Asia