Top 10 Lead-Acid Battery Crushing and Separation Equipment Suppliers in Japan

Founded in 1992, NBRS has spent three decades perfecting the art of battery recycling equipment. Headquartered in Osaka, this family-run business started with a simple mission: to make lead-acid battery recycling safer and more efficient for small to medium-sized facilities. Today, they’re a go-to for companies across Asia, Europe, and even Africa.

What really sets NBRS apart is their lead acid battery breaking and separation system . Designed with modularity in mind, this system can be customized to handle anywhere from 500 kg to 2,000 kg of batteries per hour—perfect for businesses that might need to scale up later. The system starts with a hydraulic cutter that safely splits the battery casing, followed by a separation unit that separates plastic, lead grids, and acid electrolyte. And here’s the kicker: NBRS integrates a filter press equipment to treat the electrolyte, ensuring zero harmful discharge into water sources. “We’ve had clients tell us their environmental audits got easier overnight after installing our system,” says Takeshi Mori, NBRS’s sales director. “That’s the kind of impact we care about.”

If you’re in the market for heavy-duty equipment, TEM should be at the top of your list. Established in 1985 and based in Tokyo, this company specializes in industrial-scale recycling systems that can handle 2,000 kg or more of lead-acid batteries per hour. Their clients include some of the biggest names in automotive recycling, like Toyota’s in-house recycling division and JFE Steel.

TEM’s flagship product is their rotary furnace for paste reduction , a key component in processing lead paste—the sticky, lead-rich material inside batteries. Unlike traditional furnaces that lose heat and energy, TEM’s design uses a unique insulation system that reduces fuel consumption by 20%. Paired with their crushing and separation line, this furnace turns lead paste into high-purity lead ingots ready for reuse in new batteries. “We work closely with battery manufacturers to make sure our output meets their strict standards,” explains Yuki Tanaka, TEM’s chief engineer. “Our lead ingots have a purity rate of 99.97%, which is why companies like Panasonic trust us.”

OPR is the new kid on the block, founded in 2010, but they’ve quickly made a name for themselves with innovative, user-friendly equipment. Based in Osaka’s tech hub, this startup was born out of a partnership between engineers from Panasonic and a team of environmental scientists. Their goal? To make battery recycling accessible to small facilities that might not have the budget for massive industrial systems.

Their star product is the compact lead acid battery breaking unit , a tabletop-sized machine that can process 300–800 kg of batteries per hour. Don’t let the size fool you—this unit packs a punch. It uses a hydraulic cutter to split casings, then a dry separation system that uses air flow to separate plastic from lead grids. “We designed it for a mom-and-pop recycling shop in Hiroshima that was doing everything by hand,” says Aiko Nakamura, OPR’s founder. “Now they can process 10 times more batteries with half the labor.” OPR also offers training workshops, so even first-time users can get up to speed quickly.

When you think of Mitsubishi, you might picture cars or electronics—but their recycling division is a hidden gem. MHIRS, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, brings the same engineering excellence to battery recycling equipment that they do to jet engines and power plants. Founded in 2005 and based in Yokohama, they focus on turnkey solutions for large-scale recycling plants.

Their lead acid battery breaking and separation system is a marvel of automation. From the moment batteries are loaded onto the conveyor belt to the final separation of lead, plastic, and acid, the entire process is controlled by a touchscreen interface. Operators can monitor every step in real time, adjust settings remotely, and even predict maintenance needs using AI. “Our system can self-diagnose 80% of common issues,” says Hiroshi Sato, MHIRS’s product manager. “If a bearing is wearing down, it’ll alert you three weeks before it fails—no more unexpected downtime.” MHIRS also integrates air pollution control system equipment to capture any lead dust or fumes, ensuring compliance with the strictest global air quality standards.

Kyoto, a city known for its commitment to sustainability, is home to KET, a company that puts the environment at the center of everything they do. Founded in 1998, KET specializes in “closed-loop” recycling systems—meaning every byproduct is reused, and nothing goes to waste. Their lead-acid battery equipment is no exception.

Take their filter press equipment , for example. After batteries are crushed, the acid electrolyte is collected and treated using KET’s proprietary filter press, which removes impurities and converts the acid into water and salt (sodium sulfate), a compound used in detergents and fertilizers. “We don’t just ‘dispose’ of acid—we turn it into a product with value,” explains Mei Tanaka, KET’s environmental compliance officer. “One of our clients in Vietnam now sells the sodium sulfate to a local chemical plant, adding an extra revenue stream.” KET’s breaking and separation system also uses 100% recycled steel in its construction, and the plastic separated from batteries is pelletized and sold back to plastic manufacturers.

With over 80 years in the machinery business, Toyo Machinery & Metals knows a thing or two about durability. Founded in 1941, TMM started by making tools for Japan’s post-war reconstruction; today, their recycling division focuses on heavy-duty equipment built to last. Based in Nagoya, they’re a favorite among mining and construction companies that need rugged machinery.

TMM’s lead acid battery breaking and separating equipment is built like a tank—literally. The crushing chamber is made from 10mm-thick hardened steel, and the hydraulic system uses military-grade seals to withstand years of heavy use. “We tested one of our early models by running it 24/7 for six months straight,” says Kenji Watanabe, TMM’s product designer. “It needed just one oil change and a new filter—everything else held up.” TMM also offers a unique “Lifetime Parts Guarantee” on critical components, giving clients peace of mind. Their systems are slower than some competitors (topping out at 1,500 kg/hour), but for industries where downtime is costly, the reliability is worth it.

HRI is proof that innovation can come from unexpected places. Founded in 2015 by a team of ex-automotive engineers, this Hiroshima-based startup saw a gap in the market: equipment that could handle both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries (though our focus here is on their lead-acid solutions). Their “Dual-Process” system is a hit with recycling facilities that want flexibility.

HRI’s lead-acid breaking and separation line uses a unique dry process equipment that eliminates the need for water, making it ideal for arid regions or facilities with limited water access. Instead of water-based separation, it uses electrostatic separation to sort plastic from lead—a technology borrowed from the automotive industry’s paint-booth systems. “We were working on electrostatic paint filters and thought, ‘Why not use this for recycling?’” says Ryo Suzuki, HRI’s CTO. The result? A system that uses 90% less water than traditional wet processes and produces drier, easier-to-transport materials. HRI also offers a mobile version of their system, mounted on a truck, for on-site recycling at battery collection points.

KIS has been a staple in Japan’s industrial equipment scene since 1978. Based in Yokohama, they’re known for their no-nonsense, cost-effective solutions—perfect for mid-sized facilities that want reliable equipment without the premium price tag. Their lead-acid battery recycling line is designed to balance performance and affordability.

What makes KIS stand out is their focus on user experience. Their control panel is intuitive, with large, color-coded buttons and a touchscreen that even non-technical staff can navigate. “We spent a year visiting recycling plants and watching operators work,” says Miki Ito, KIS’s UX designer. “They told us they hated complicated menus, so we simplified everything.” The system also includes built-in tutorials (in 10 languages!) that pop up on the screen if an error occurs. KIS’s lead acid battery breaking and separation system handles 800–1,200 kg/hour and comes with a 5-year warranty—one of the longest in the industry for mid-range equipment.

NBT is all about specialization. Founded in 2003, this Nagoya-based company focuses solely on lead-acid battery recycling equipment—no distractions. This laser focus has made them experts in the nuances of battery recycling, from handling different battery chemistries to meeting country-specific regulations.

Their crown jewel is their lead acid battery breaking and separation system with integrated rotary furnace for paste reduction . What makes this combo unique is how seamlessly the two units work together. The breaking system feeds lead paste directly into the furnace via a closed conveyor, minimizing lead dust exposure. The furnace itself uses a computer-controlled temperature system to ensure consistent lead purity, and it can be adjusted to handle different types of lead paste (e.g., from car batteries vs. industrial batteries). “We once worked with a client in Brazil that was recycling batteries from both cars and telecom towers—completely different paste compositions,” says Naoki Tanaka, NBT’s applications engineer. “Our system adjusted automatically, and the lead purity stayed above 99.9% the whole time.”

Rounding out our list is SGM, a Sapporo-based company that’s making waves with its focus on cold-climate recycling. Founded in 2008, SGM noticed that standard recycling equipment often struggles in freezing temperatures—hydraulic fluids thicken, plastic becomes brittle, and separation efficiency drops. Their solution? Equipment specifically designed to thrive in cold environments.

SGM’s lead-acid breaking and separation system uses low-viscosity hydraulic fluid that stays fluid even at -20°C, and the plastic separation unit has a heated chamber to prevent plastic from becoming brittle and breaking. The filter press equipment is also insulated to prevent electrolyte from freezing during treatment. “We tested our system in Hokkaido’s coldest winter—-25°C with wind chill—and it ran without a hitch,” says Yuki Aoki, SGM’s product manager. “Now we’re seeing demand from Russia, Canada, and Scandinavia, where cold-weather reliability is non-negotiable.” SGM also offers a “Winter Package” that includes heated storage bins for collected batteries and insulated conveyor belts.