With the rise of metal prices and an increasing awareness of environmental protection, metal recycling firms from Japan are expanding their operation in China.

According to the Rijing Weekly, Japan's Songtian Industry Company has set up a branch in Suzhou with a registered capital of US$1 million to specialize in waste and used metal recycling. Another Japanese company Asahi Pretec also plans to expand its business in Shanghai and include silver and palladium collection into its business scope.

At present, these two companies' affiliates operate in the Chinese market through partnership with Sino-Japanese joint ventures. Asahi Pretec said they plan to develop some clients in Europe and America as well China in the future.

Besides these two, some Japanese non-ferrous metal companies like Mitsui Metal Mine and Dowa Holdings have also begun metal recycling services in China.