Top 5 Paste Reduction Melting Furnace Suppliers in Japan [2025]

Founded in 1992, Nippon Recycling Technologies (NRT) has been a trailblazer in lead acid battery recycling equipment for over three decades. Headquartered in Tokyo, NRT started as a small engineering firm but quickly grew into a global name by focusing on one mission: making recycling both efficient and eco-friendly. Their flagship product? The rotary furnace for paste reduction l lead acid battery recycling plant , a machine that’s become a gold standard in the industry.

What sets NRT’s rotary furnace apart? For starters, it’s designed for maximum energy efficiency. The furnace uses a unique indirect heating system that reduces fuel consumption by up to 25% compared to traditional models. That’s not just good for the planet—it also cuts operational costs for recycling plants. But efficiency isn’t the only win. NRT’s furnace also integrates a state-of-the-art air pollution control system, which captures over 99% of harmful emissions, including sulfur dioxide and lead particulates. This means plants can meet even the strictest global emissions standards, from Japan’s own Air Quality Act to the EU’s REACH regulations.

Take the case of Osaka Battery Recycling Plant, one of Japan’s largest lead-acid battery recyclers. They installed NRT’s rotary furnace in 2023, and the results speak for themselves: their lead recovery rate jumped from 92% to 97%, and their monthly energy bills dropped by ¥1.2 million. “NRT’s furnace isn’t just equipment—it’s a partner in our sustainability goals,” says Hiroshi Tanaka, the plant’s operations manager. “We’re processing 500 tons more batteries per month without increasing our carbon footprint.”

NRT doesn’t stop at furnaces, either. They offer end-to-end solutions, including the lead acid battery breaking and separation system , which prepares battery paste for the furnace by efficiently separating lead grids, plastic casings, and electrolyte. This integrated approach means customers get a seamless workflow, from battery shredding to lead ingot production.

If NRT is the veteran, Osaka Eco Solutions (OES) is the innovator. Founded in 2005 in Osaka’s tech hub, OES made a name for itself by reimagining how paste reduction furnaces work. Their focus? Compact design without sacrificing power. For recycling plants with limited space—think urban facilities or small-to-medium operations—OES’s furnaces are a game-changer.

OES’s signature furnace, the EcoRotary-500, is a compact rotary model that delivers a processing capacity of 500 kg/hour in a footprint 30% smaller than comparable furnaces. How do they do it? The secret lies in their patented “tapered drum” design, which optimizes heat distribution and material flow, allowing for faster paste-to-lead conversion. “We wanted to prove that small doesn’t mean less capable,” says Yuki Mori, OES’s chief engineer. “Our EcoRotary-500 can handle the same workload as a larger furnace but fits in a space the size of two shipping containers. That’s a game-changer for plants in city centers where land is at a premium.”

Another standout feature is OES’s smart control system. The furnace is equipped with IoT sensors that monitor temperature, pressure, and material flow in real time. Operators can adjust settings via a user-friendly touchscreen or even remotely through a mobile app. This level of automation reduces human error and ensures consistent performance—critical for meeting strict quality standards for recycled lead. In 2024, OES partnered with a recycling plant in Fukuoka, where the EcoRotary-500 cut downtime by 40% simply by alerting operators to maintenance needs before they became major issues.

OES also prides itself on customization. Unlike one-size-fits-all models, they work closely with clients to tailor furnaces to their specific needs. For example, a plant specializing in small sealed lead-acid batteries (used in UPS systems) might need a different drum speed than one processing car batteries. OES’s engineers tweak everything from heating elements to exhaust systems to ensure the furnace fits the job. It’s this attention to detail that’s made them a favorite among niche recycling operations.

Kyoto Precision Industries (KPI) is proof that heritage and innovation can go hand in hand. Established in 1978, KPI began as a manufacturer of industrial furnaces for the steel industry before pivoting to recycling equipment in the early 2000s. Today, they’re known for their ultra-durable rotary furnace for paste reduction —machines built to withstand the harshest conditions, year after year.

What makes KPI’s furnaces so tough? It starts with materials. The drum is made from a proprietary alloy of chromium and nickel, which resists corrosion from sulfuric acid in the battery paste. This extends the furnace’s lifespan to an average of 15 years, compared to 10 years for standard models. “We build our furnaces like they’re going to war,” jokes Takeshi Sato, KPI’s sales director. “Recycling is a tough business—equipment takes a beating. Our customers don’t want to ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ a furnace every decade; they want something that keeps running, even when the workload spikes.”

Durability doesn’t mean KPI skimps on performance, though. Their latest model, the KPI-EX2000, boasts a processing capacity of 2,000 kg/hour—one of the highest in the industry. It’s designed for large-scale recycling plants, like the Tokyo-based GreenCycle Plant, which processes over 10,000 tons of lead-acid batteries annually. Since installing the KPI-EX2000 in 2023, GreenCycle has increased its output by 30% without adding extra shifts. “The furnace runs 24/7, and we’ve only had to do minor maintenance,” says Akira Ito, GreenCycle’s plant manager. “That kind of reliability is priceless when you’re handling that volume of material.”

KPI also leads in safety. Their furnaces come with multiple fail-safes, including automatic shutdown systems if temperatures exceed safe levels and emergency pressure relief valves. In an industry where accidents can have severe consequences, these features provide peace of mind. It’s no wonder KPI counts some of the world’s largest recycling companies, including Veolia and Suez, as clients.

While most suppliers focus on high-capacity furnaces, Hokkaido Eco Engineering (HEE) has carved out a niche in small to medium-scale operations. Founded in 2008 in Sapporo, HEE recognized that not every recycling plant needs a furnace that processes 2,000 kg/hour. For rural communities, small businesses, or startups, a more compact, affordable option is key. That’s where their MiniPaste series comes in.

The MiniPaste-500 is HEE’s most popular model, designed for plants with a capacity of 500–1,000 kg/hour. It’s lightweight, easy to install, and requires minimal training to operate—perfect for teams without dedicated engineers. “We wanted to make recycling accessible,” says Mei Lin, HEE’s founder. “Too often, small communities can’t afford the big, complex furnaces. They end up sending their battery waste to larger cities, which adds to carbon emissions from transportation. The MiniPaste-500 lets them recycle locally, keeping jobs and resources in the community.”

Don’t let its size fool you, though—the MiniPaste-500 is packed with smart features. It uses a direct-fired heating system that’s simpler than NRT’s indirect model but still efficient, with a lead recovery rate of 95%. It also includes a basic air pollution control unit, ensuring compliance with local emissions laws. For many small plants, this is more than enough. Take the recycling cooperative in Asahikawa, a city in northern Hokkaido. They bought a MiniPaste-500 in 2022 to process batteries from local farms and small businesses. “Before, we were paying ¥50,000 a month to ship batteries to Sapporo,” says Kenji Yamamoto, the cooperative’s president. “Now, we recycle them ourselves, sell the lead, and even turn a small profit. HEE made that possible.”

HEE also offers excellent after-sales support, which is crucial for small operators who might not have in-house technical teams. Their service team provides 24/7 phone support and on-site maintenance within 48 hours for customers in Japan. “We don’t just sell equipment—we build partnerships,” Lin adds. “Our customers’ success is our success.”

Rounding out our list is Shikoku Sustainable Systems (SSS), a relative newcomer that’s making waves with its focus on green technology. Founded in 2015 in Takamatsu, SSS set out to reimagine paste reduction furnaces with sustainability at their core. Their result? The EcoFusion furnace, which runs on a mix of biomass pellets and natural gas, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Biomass is a renewable energy source, and SSS’s furnace is designed to burn it efficiently, with minimal emissions. In fact, the EcoFusion produces 30% less CO2 than traditional gas-powered furnaces. “We wanted to tackle the carbon footprint of recycling itself,” says Ryo Suzuki, SSS’s sustainability director. “Recycling is about protecting the planet, but if the equipment used to recycle is still burning lots of coal or gas, we’re only solving part of the problem. The EcoFusion is our way of closing that loop.”

But biomass isn’t the only green feature. The EcoFusion also includes a heat recovery system that captures waste heat from the furnace and uses it to preheat incoming battery paste. This reduces the amount of energy needed to reach melting temperatures, further cutting costs and emissions. A pilot plant in Kagawa Prefecture, which installed the EcoFusion in 2023, reported a 20% reduction in energy use and a 15% ｄｒｏｐ in CO2 emissions in just six months.

SSS is also a leader in transparency. They provide customers with a carbon footprint report for each furnace, detailing emissions from manufacturing, shipping, and operation. This helps recycling plants track their own sustainability goals and market their services as truly eco-friendly. “Consumers are more aware than ever of the environmental impact of products,” Suzuki explains. “Recycled lead from a plant using our EcoFusion can be marketed as ‘low-carbon lead,’ which opens up new opportunities with green-minded manufacturers.”

While SSS is still growing, their innovative approach has caught the attention of major players. In 2024, they secured a partnership with Panasonic to supply furnaces for their battery recycling pilot program in Osaka. If the pilot is successful, it could mean big things for SSS’s future.