What Kawashima Group does

Kawashima Group (川島グループ) is a privately-held Japanese industrial conglomerate founded December 12, 1964, headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. The group operates 38 companies across eight business segments under a "Perfect Recycling" mission, with core operations in non-ferrous metal recycling — specifically aluminum alloy production, aluminum wheel collection, and precious/rare metal refining (including indium recovery from LCD scrap). Its technology foundation is 60 years of accumulated material-sorting expertise, composition-adjustment capability, and high-purity refining processes that enable "horizontal recycling" systems such as sash-to-sash and wheel-to-wheel material circulation, and EV lithium-ion battery reuse for second-life applications. Subsidiaries include Sanko (aluminum alloys), Japan Nihiatu (rolled aluminum), Material (wheel recycling), Alchem Japan (rare metals), K-GOLD International (precious metals), Green Dream (golf course management), SERIO (electric mobility), and Hatsuga Genmai (germinated brown rice).

The revenue model is primarily transaction-based on metal scrap collection, processing, refining, and resale, complemented by recurring revenue from golf course operations, real estate leasing, and mobility rental. GTM is hybrid B2B (direct sales to manufacturing companies for non-ferrous scrap collection and recycling — targeting Toyota, LIXIL, Panasonic, Haruta Sangyo) and B2C (retail stores and e-commerce for Recycle King precious metals, Queen's Aria bridal jewelry, Re Couturier jewelry repair, Big Foot tires/wheels, and SERIO electric mobility). The aluminum wheel business holds approximately 60% domestic market share, processing 270,000 wheels annually, and Japan Nihiatu achieved a 64% aluminum circulation rate in FY2024.

The group targets FY2025 revenue of 1,000 billion JPY with FY2023 ordinary profit of 55 billion JPY on a historical ~800 billion JPY revenue base. It is currently led by third-generation family member Kazuyoshi Kawashima following the July 2023 death of founder Yoshikatsu Kawashima. Strategic posture is offensive: a joint venture with Toyota Tsusho (Toyotsu Sotec) for aluminum sash horizontal recycling, a three-party partnership with Panasonic and Haruta Sangyo, and 2022-2023 restructuring that converted 5 subsidiaries to independent operations. A 60th anniversary ceremony in October 2025 launched a 100-year vision emphasizing expansion of recycling infrastructure for the EV and decarbonization era.

Name

Kawashima Group

Legal name

株式会社 川嶋

Website

https://kawashima-group.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kawashima Group (川島グループ) is a privately-held Hamamatsu-based industrial conglomerate operating 38 companies in non-ferrous metal recycling, with dominant domestic share in aluminum wheel collection, and diversified into precious/rare metals, golf courses, real estate, and electric mobility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling and Resource Recovery

NAICS

Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum (331314), Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers (42393)

SIC

Secondary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3341)

akta.pro primary industry

Aluminum Scrap Collection, Sorting & Processing (IMAKACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Recycling (Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Lead, Zinc) (EUAIAJAB), Metal Melting & Secondary Smelting/Refining (Recycled Feedstock Producers) (EUAIAJAJ), E-Waste & Electronics Metal Recovery (ITAD, Circuit Boards, Precious Metal Recovery) (IMAKAMAG), Scrap Collection, Brokerage & Trading (Dealers, Aggregators, Exporters) (EUAIAJAH)

Keywords

• Non-ferrous metal recycling
• Aluminum alloy processing
• Precious metals recovery
• Industrial scrap collection
• Circular economy materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamamatsu

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Non-ferrous Metal Recycling and Processing: Core revenue stream from collecting, processing, and selling non-ferrous metal scrap including aluminum, copper, precious metals, and rare metals. Operations span collection, sorting, refining, and distribution.
2. Precious Metal Retail and Refining: B2C revenue from jewelry and brand goods recycling, including purchase of precious metal items, refurbishment and resale as 'refreshed jewelry', and raw material sales to merchants.
3. Golf Course Operations: Revenue from operating and managing golf courses across Japan, including green fees, memberships, and hospitality services.
4. Real Estate: Income from real estate leasing and regeneration including apartments, hotels, racing circuits, warehouses, and business facilities.
5. Electric Mobility Products: Sales and rental revenue from electric carts and electric wheelchairs for elderly through Company Serio.
6. Agricultural Products: Revenue from germinated brown rice manufacturing and sales through Company Hatsuga.
7. Used Oil Recycling: Revenue from collecting and recycling plant waste oil and mineral waste oil, including biodiesel fuel sales through Tokai Chemical.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kawashima Group operates an integrated non-ferrous metal recycling and resource recovery business, collecting industrial metal scrap (primarily aluminum, copper, precious, and rare metals), processing and refining it through advanced sorting and material differentiation technologies, and reselling the output as recycled alloys and refined metals to manufacturing customers across automotive, electronics, and construction industries. The group also extends into consumer-facing recycling operations including jewelry purchasing, electric mobility products for the elderly, germinated brown rice, and golf course management under a unified "Perfect Recycling" system spanning 38 group companies.

Product overview

Kawashima Group operates as a diversified recycling and metals conglomerate with a unified 'Perfect Recycle' system spanning eight distinct business segments. The portfolio includes: (1) Aluminum Alloy Business as the core segment collecting and recycling aluminum scrap; (2) Precious Metals and Rare Metals Business handling indium recycling and jewelry; (3) Aluminum Wheel Business offering wheel-to-wheel recycling; (4) Non-ferrous Metals Business for copper and other metals; (5) Golf Business managing 10+ revitalized golf courses; (6) Real Estate Business for property regeneration; (7) Research and Development Center; and (8) Other specialized businesses including electric mobility (SERIO), germinated brown rice (Hatugenkibi), and flex container bags. Consumer-facing brands include Recycle King for precious metals buying/selling, Queen's Aria for bridal jewelry, Re Couturier for jewelry repair, and Big Foot for tires/wheels. The group emphasizes 'horizontal recycling' where materials are recycled back into the same product category, and operates an integrated system from collection through processing to resale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• リサイクルキング: Precious metal and brand goods buying/selling service
• クイーンズアリア
• リクチュリエ
• Big Foot
• SERIO
• グリーンドリーム
• マテリアル

Products and services

• Aluminum Alloy Recycling Business (アルミ合金事業) Core business collecting scrap aluminum from manufacturers, refining it through advanced sorting and material differentiation technology, and reselling as secondary aluminum alloys and materials. Built on 60 years of industry experience and an efficient nationwide network.
• Precious Metals and Rare Metals Recycling Business (貴金属・レアメタル事業) Recovery, refining, and sales of precious metals (gold, silver) and rare metals (notably indium from LCD displays and electronic equipment scrap) for electronics, jewelry, and industrial customers, with expanded overseas operations into China, Korea, and Taiwan.
• Aluminum Wheel Recycling Business (アルミホイール事業) Wheel-to-wheel horizontal recycling system for aluminum wheels, covering scrap collection (approximately 270,000 wheels/year), material conversion, repair and resale of refurbished parts, and sale of original brand-new wheels. Holds the largest domestic market share in aluminum wheel collection in Japan.
• Non-ferrous Metals Business (非鉄金属事業) Recovery, processing, and sales of non-ferrous metal scrap centered on copper and other metals with established domestic and international sales channels, including import operations through 上海昇捷国際貿易 in China.
• Golf Course Operations (ゴルフ事業) Revitalization, management, and operation of golf courses across Japan (from Tohoku to Okinawa) including green fees, memberships, and hospitality services, operated through the Green Dream holding company.
• Real Estate Business (不動産事業) Real estate regeneration and long-term retention of apartments, hotels, racing circuits, warehouses, and business support facilities, providing stable recurring rental income.
• Research and Development Center (研究開発センター) New business and product development plus resource recycling R&D with integrated system from material analysis to prototyping, manufacturing, and sales, including EV lithium-ion battery reuse for golf carts and forklifts.
• Recycle King (リサイクルキング) Consumer-facing precious metals and brand-goods purchasing and sales platform offering home-delivery purchase service and online shopping for jewelry, accessories, and luxury items through owned e-commerce and physical stores.
• Queen's Aria (クイーンズアリア) Bridal jewelry sales service offering engagement and wedding rings to consumers, operated under K-GOLD International.
• Re Couturier (リクチュリエ) Jewelry reform and repair service handling customization and restoration of precious metal jewelry pieces for consumers.
• Big Foot Retail business offering new, used, and outlet tires and aluminum wheels for vehicles, operated through physical retail stores.
• SERIO Electric Mobility Products Electric cart and electric wheelchair purchase and rental service for elderly customers, including safety driving instruction and after-sales support.
• Hatsuga Genmai Germinated Brown Rice (発芽玄米) Germinated brown rice manufacturing and sales business producing nutritious rice products using a proprietary semi-raw processing method, positioned for everyday healthy eating.

Quantifiable outcome

• Aluminum recycling uses only 3% of energy compared to virgin material production, reducing CO2 emissions significantly
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 河津町minorOthers · 1 February 2026SERIO signed comprehensive partnership agreement with Kawazu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture for mobility support services using electric mobility products.
• 春田産業coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Three-party horizontal recycling partnership with 春田産業 and パナソニック for aluminum material recycling. Started joint recycling business for aluminum production scrap circulation.
• PanasoniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Three-party horizontal recycling partnership with Japan Nihiatu and 春田産業. Joint initiative for aluminum material recycling and logistics efficiency.
• 豊通グループ (Toyota Tsusho Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Joint venture company 豊通ソーテック established for aluminum sash horizontal recycling. Sanko Saitama holds 20% stake. Commenced full-scale operations.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Novelis: Novelis is the world's largest aluminum recycler and rolled products manufacturer, owned by Hindalco. Comparable through its leadership in closed-loop recycling programs with automotive and beverage customers (e.g., supplying recycled aluminum to Ford and Apple), though much larger and globally scaled.
• Mitsubishi Materials Corporation: Mitsubishi Materials is a large Japanese diversified materials company with significant copper, aluminum, and electronic materials operations including recycling. Overlaps with Kawashima in non-ferrous metals but operates at much larger scale with broader materials portfolio.
• Furukawa Electric: Furukawa Electric is a major Japanese manufacturer of copper, aluminum, and optical fiber products. Comparable in copper and aluminum metals exposure with much broader downstream manufacturing footprint.
• Aurubis AG: Aurubis is Europe's largest copper recycler and one of the world's leading non-ferrous metals recyclers. Comparable through copper and precious metals refining from recycled feedstocks; serves similar downstream manufacturers in electronics and industrial applications.

Direct peers

• Sims Metal Management: Sims is a global scrap metal collector and recycler operating ferrous and non-ferrous collection networks with comparable business model of buying, processing, and selling secondary metals. Most direct international peer in pure-play metal recycling.
• UACJ Corporation: UACJ is Japan's largest aluminum rolled products manufacturer, formed from the merger of Furukawa-Sky and Sumitomo Light Metal. Comparable through Japan Nihiatu (Kawashima subsidiary) which competes in aluminum rolling, and through shared exposure to Japanese automotive and construction customers.
• DOWA Holdings: DOWA Holdings is Japan's leading non-ferrous metals recycler with comparable end-to-end operations in scrap collection, smelting, refining, and electronic materials recycling. Most directly comparable Japanese peer given similar non-ferrous metals franchise and recycling-driven business model.
• Nippon Light Metal Holdings: Japanese aluminum-focused manufacturer with alumina, primary aluminum, and rolled/extruded products divisions. Comparable because of its integrated aluminum operations, although Kawashima is more recycling-focused while Nippon Light Metal has broader primary and fabricated aluminum exposure.
• Schnitzer Steel Industries: Schnitzer is a US-based scrap metal recycler and finished steel manufacturer with collection yards and processing facilities, comparable in business model (collection, processing, and resale of recycled metals).

Regional players

• Toho Zinc: Toho Zinc is a Japanese non-ferrous metals smelter and refiner focused on zinc, lead, and precious metals. Comparable in Japanese non-ferrous metals processing though more concentrated in zinc/lead rather than aluminum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDhFkHrde6_Y0_-DBBMz5uQ

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kawashima Group