Altemira Group Expands Aluminum Can Recycling Plant Capacity
Altemira Holdings, headquartered in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, has recently announced a significant investment of approximately 500 million yen to increase the processing capacity of its aluminum can recycling plant located in Oyama, Shizuoka Prefecture. The plant, operated by MA Aluminum Co., Ltd., a group company based in Susono City, will see an approximate 15% enhancement in its ability to process Used Beverage Cans (UBC).
As a comprehensive aluminum group, Altemira specializes in the manufacturing of aluminum cans as well as rolled aluminum, foils, and extrusions. The company promotes a horizontal recycling business model, which entails the regeneration of UBC into new aluminum cans. This closed-loop process includes everything from UBC collection, conducted by Altemira Tech Solutions Co., Ltd., to pre-treatment, melting, casting, and producing aluminum sheet material, culminating in the manufacture of aluminum cans by Altemira Can Co., Ltd. Notably, about 40% of the aluminum materials used in their products come from this recycling plant.
The energy required to create recycled aluminum from UBC reduces energy consumption by up to 97% when compared to producing new aluminum from bauxite, showcasing the sustainability efforts embedded in their operational strategies. This practice supports the establishment of a circular economy and contributes to carbon neutrality, aligning with global sustainability goals.
The current upgrade will primarily involve improving the facility's UBC crushing machines and roasting furnaces. The new crushing machines will enable the processing of highly compressed UBC bales without the need for prior separation, enhancing transport efficiency. This upgrade is expected to be completed by February 2026. Additionally, the roasting furnace, which is responsible for thermally decomposing inks and paints from aluminum cans, has already seen its processing capacity increased following updates completed in January 2025. With these enhancements, the production capacity of recycled aluminum materials at the plant is anticipated to rise by approximately 15%, reaching an expected annual output of around 50,000 tons.
For those who are interested in the recycling process, a visual representation of the entire journey from UBC recycling to can material coil manufacturing and aluminum can production is available on Altemira's YouTube channel, “Process X.” This 21-minute video was released in October 2023 and provides in-depth insights into their CAN to CAN recycling process, showcasing Altemira Group’s commitment to sustainability in the aluminum industry.
Altemira Group maintains a guiding purpose with the slogan, "Aluminum technology for a dream aluminum life®," focusing their expertise towards the development of a circular economy.
For more information, visit
Altemira Holdings Co., Ltd..
In conclusion, the investment into the aluminum can recycling plant underlines Altemira Group’s commitment to both enhancing operational efficiency and fostering sustainability within the industry, demonstrating how traditional manufacturing can pivot towards eco-friendly practices. By prioritizing recycling and resource regeneration, Altemira is not only addressing the growing demand for aluminum but also leading the way towards a more sustainable future.