In a world drowning in electronic waste, printed circuit boards (PCBs) stand out as both a challenge and an opportunity. These tiny, complex boards power everything from smartphones to industrial machinery, but when they reach the end of their life, they’re often tossed aside—leaving behind toxic materials and squandering precious resources like gold, copper, and rare earth metals. That’s where dry process PCB recycling comes in. Unlike traditional wet methods that rely on harsh chemicals and large amounts of water,dry process equipment uses mechanical separation, air classification, and electrostatic sorting to recover metals and non-metals cleanly and efficiently.
Japan has long been a leader in sustainable technology, and its PCB recycling equipment suppliers are no exception. In 2025, the country’s top players are setting new standards for efficiency,环保 (environmental friendliness), and scalability. Whether you’re a small-scale recycler or a large e-waste facility, these suppliers offer solutions tailored to your needs. Let’s take a deep dive into the top 5 dry process PCB recycling equipment suppliers in Japan this year.
1. EcoRecycle Tech Japan – The Pioneer of High-Capacity Dry Separation
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Yokohama, EcoRecycle Tech Japan has cemented its reputation as a go-to for large-scale recycling operations. What makes them stand out? Their flagship
circuit board recycling plant with dry separator 500-2000kg/hour capacity
isn’t just a machine—it’s a complete ecosystem designed to turn mountains of e-waste into valuable resources.
How it works:
The process starts with a robust shredder that breaks PCBs into uniform particles (think of it as turning a circuit board into confetti, but with precision). From there, the material moves to a dry separator, where air classification and electrostatic sorting kick in. Lighter plastic and resin particles are blown away, while heavier metals like copper and gold are separated by their electrical conductivity. The result? Up to 98% metal recovery rates, with purity levels that make the recycled metals nearly indistinguishable from virgin materials.
Real-world impact:
In 2024, EcoRecycle Tech partnered with a major electronics manufacturer in Osaka to handle 500 tons of废旧 (discarded) PCBs monthly. The client reported saving over ¥200 million annually by replacing virgin copper with EcoRecycle’s recycled output. “The dry process eliminated our water treatment costs entirely,” said the manufacturer’s sustainability director. “And the compact design of the plant meant we didn’t need to expand our facility—we just plugged it in and started recycling.”
Why choose them:
If you’re running a high-volume operation and need reliability, EcoRecycle Tech delivers. Their systems are built to run 24/7 with minimal downtime, and their after-sales support includes on-site training and remote monitoring. Plus, they’re constantly innovating—their 2025 model adds AI-powered sensors that adjust sorting parameters in real time, boosting efficiency by another 12%.
2. Nippon DryCycle Systems – Compact Power for Small to Mid-Size Recyclers
Not every recycler needs a 2000kg/hour behemoth. That’s where Nippon DryCycle Systems, based in Nagoya, shines. Since 2015, they’ve specialized in
compact granulator with dry separator equipment
—machines that pack industrial-grade performance into a footprint small enough for a garage or warehouse corner. Perfect for startups or facilities with limited space.
Designed for flexibility:
The CompactPro Series, their most popular line, starts at just 500kg/hour capacity but can be upgraded to 1000kg/hour with add-on modules. The granulator uses a unique dual-shaft cutting system to avoid over-shredding (no more turning metals into dust!), and the dry separator combines air flow and magnetic sorting to separate ferrous and non-ferrous metals in one pass. “We built this for recyclers who want to grow with demand,” explains Nippon DryCycle’s sales manager. “Start small, prove the model, then scale up without replacing the entire system.”
User-friendly for beginners:
Let’s face it—
recycling equipment can be intimidating. Nippon DryCycle simplifies things with a touchscreen interface that walks operators through setup and troubleshooting. One client, a small recycler in Fukuoka who started with the CompactPro 500 in 2023, put it this way: “I had zero experience with PCB recycling, but after a day of training, my team was running the machine like pros. The system even sends alerts to my phone if something needs attention—no more guessing.”
Global reach, local support:
While based in Japan, Nippon DryCycle has distributors in 12 countries, including Thailand, Germany, and Brazil. This means if you run into a problem, you won’t be waiting weeks for a technician to fly in. Their 2025 upgrade? A mobile app that lets operators connect with support teams via video chat, so experts can guide them through repairs in real time.
3. Tokyo EcoSolutions – Where Dry Process Meets Environmental Compliance
Tokyo EcoSolutions doesn’t just sell equipment—they sell peace of mind. For recyclers in Japan (and beyond) where environmental regulations are notoriously strict, their
dry process equipment
packages are a game-changer. Founded in 2012, the company has made it their mission to combine high efficiency with zero environmental compromise.
Built-in pollution control:
One of the biggest headaches with dry recycling is dust and particulate matter. Tokyo EcoSolutions solves this by integrating an
air pollution control system equipment
directly into their dry process lines. The system uses high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and activated carbon scrubbers to capture 99.97% of dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). “In Tokyo, you can’t even sneeze without meeting air quality standards,” jokes the company’s lead engineer. “Our systems don’t just meet those standards—they exceed them. We’ve had clients pass inspections without a single violation, even in the most regulated districts.”
A focus on water conservation:
While dry process inherently uses less water than wet methods, Tokyo EcoSolutions takes it a step further. Their systems require less than 50 liters of water per day (mostly for cooling), compared to the thousands of liters used by traditional wet processes. For recycling facilities in water-scarce regions, this isn’t just a selling point—it’s a necessity. A client in Okinawa, where water costs are 30% higher than the national average, reported saving ¥1.2 million annually on water bills alone after switching to Tokyo EcoSolutions’ dry process.
Custom solutions for niche needs:
Not all PCBs are created equal. Medical devices, for example, often have PCBs with hazardous coatings, while military-grade boards are thicker and more durable. Tokyo EcoSolutions works with clients to tweak their
dry process equipment for these niche applications. In 2024, they developed a specialized system for a medical waste recycler that safely handles PCBs with lead-based solder, ensuring compliance with Japan’s strict RoHS regulations.
4. Osaka Precision Recycling – The Innovator in Precision Shredding
If EcoRecycle Tech is the king of capacity, Osaka Precision Recycling is the master of precision. Founded in 2010, this Osaka-based supplier has carved out a niche with their
single shaft shredder equipment
—a machine that treats PCBs with the care of a watchmaker, ensuring minimal metal loss during processing.
The secret to their shredder:
Most shredders use multiple shafts to tear through material, but Osaka Precision’s single shaft design uses slow, powerful rotations (think of a giant garlic press, but for metal) to avoid pulverizing metals into unusable dust. This is critical because finer metal particles are harder to separate and often get lost in the plastic fraction. “Our clients tell us the difference is night and day,” says the company’s product manager. “With other shredders, they’d lose 5-7% of copper to dust. With ours, it’s less than 1%.”
Perfect for layered and complex PCBs:
Modern PCBs are like tech sandwiches—layers of copper, fiberglass, and plastic stacked together. Traditional shredders can struggle to break these layers apart, leaving chunks of mixed material that are hard to separate. Osaka’s single shaft shredder uses adjustable blades to “peel” these layers apart, creating particles where metals and plastics are already partially separated. This makes the dry separator’s job easier, boosting overall recovery rates by 10-15%.
Collaborative R&D:
Osaka Precision doesn’t rest on its laurels. They partner with Kyoto University’s Material Science Department to develop next-gen shredding technology. In 2024, this collaboration led to the launch of their NanoCut blade coating—a ceramic composite that reduces wear and tear by 30%, extending blade life from 6 months to 8 months. For recyclers, this means lower maintenance costs and less downtime.
5. Hiroshima GreenTech Machinery – Modular Design for Adaptive Recycling
Last but never least, Hiroshima GreenTech Machinery rounds out our list with a focus on adaptability. Founded in 2015, they’ve made a name for themselves with the
circuit board recycling plant wcbd-2000a with dry separator 500-2000kg/hour capacity
—a modular system that grows with your business.
Build your dream system, one module at a time:
Start with the base unit (500kg/hour) and add modules as your volume increases. Need to handle more material? Add a second shredder. Want to separate precious metals like gold and silver? Throw in a specialized electrostatic separator module (yes, they sell those too). “We designed this for recyclers who don’t want to bet the farm on a huge upfront investment,” says Hiroshima GreenTech’s CEO. “Start small, generate revenue, then reinvest in growth. It’s how we grew our own business, and we want to help others do the same.”
Automation that saves labor costs:
Labor is one of the biggest expenses in recycling, but Hiroshima GreenTech’s WCBD-2000A minimizes this with full automation. From loading PCBs into the shredder to bagging the final metal pellets, the system runs with just one operator per shift. A client in Hiroshima who switched from manual sorting to the WCBD-2000A in 2023 cut labor costs by 60% and increased output by 300%—all with the same facility size.
Future-proofing with smart tech:
The 2025 model of the WCBD-2000A comes with IoT connectivity, meaning you can monitor performance, track maintenance schedules, and even adjust settings from your phone or laptop. Forgot to check the separator before heading home? No problem—pull up the app and see real-time data on metal purity and throughput. “Recycling isn’t just about machines anymore,” the CEO adds. “It’s about data. Our system gives you the insights to optimize every step of the process.”
Comparison Table: Top 5 Dry Process PCB Recycling Equipment Suppliers
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EcoRecycle Tech Japan
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Circuit board recycling plant with dry separator
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500-2000kg/hour
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High metal recovery (up to 98%) and 24/7 operation
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Large-scale, high-volume recyclers
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Nippon DryCycle Systems
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Compact granulator with dry separator
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500-1000kg/hour (scalable)
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Small footprint and beginner-friendly design
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Startups and mid-size facilities with limited space
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Tokyo EcoSolutions
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Dry process equipment with integrated air pollution control
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800-1500kg/hour
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Strict environmental compliance and low water usage
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Recyclers in regulated regions or water-scarce areas
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Osaka Precision Recycling
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Single shaft shredder with dry separator
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600-1800kg/hour
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Precision shredding for layered/complex PCBs
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Recyclers handling medical, military, or high-value PCBs
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Hiroshima GreenTech Machinery
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WCBD-2000A modular recycling plant
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500-2000kg/hour (modular)
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Scalable design and IoT-enabled automation
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Growing businesses wanting to adapt over time
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Choosing the Right Supplier for Your Needs
With so many options, how do you pick? Start by asking yourself three questions: What’s my daily processing volume? What’s my biggest pain point (space, compliance, cost)? And how fast do I expect to grow? For large operations, EcoRecycle Tech or Hiroshima GreenTech will keep up with demand. If you’re just starting out, Nippon DryCycle’s compact systems let you test the waters without overspending. And if regulations keep you up at night, Tokyo EcoSolutions has your back.
One thing’s clear: Japan’s dry process PCB recycling equipment suppliers are leading the charge in turning e-waste into opportunity. They’re not just building machines—they’re building a future where “waste” is just another word for “unmined resources.” So whether you’re in Tokyo or Toronto, investing in a dry process system from one of these suppliers isn’t just good for business—it’s good for the planet.
Here’s to a world where every circuit board gets a second life. ♻️
