Dong-A Special Metals, a South Korean company specializing in the recycling of rare metals such as titanium, nickel, zirconium, and molybdenum, has secured a 24 billion KRW($17 million s) investment to introduce the first plasma furnace in Asia.
South Korea imports all its rare metal materials from abroad. Ironically, scrap generated during the processing of parts and industrial equipment in various industries, such as aerospace, defense, chemicals, and secondary batteries, is exported back overseas.
To address this, Dong-A Special Metals has introduced Asia's first plasma arc furnace capable of melting rare metals in a vacuum, which is crucial for handling these high-value materials. The company has also developed an innovative recycling process that allows for simultaneous refining and smelting, enhancing efficiency and material quality.
The new equipment is an upgraded Plasma Arc Melting (PAM) machine designed to melt high-melting-point metals at temperatures exceeding 5,000℃. This machine can process all existing rare metals. The produced ingots measure 230mm by 3,000mm and are expected to be supplied mainly to companies manufacturing aerospace and other high-tech components.
In addition, Dong-A Special Metals is recycling substitutes for titanium sponge. According to Scrap Insight, the company recycles raw materials that can replace titanium sponge, which emits a significant amount of carbon during extraction from ore. The recycled material can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 95% compared to conventional titanium sponge production, making it highly significant.
The specific destinations for the company's titanium supply have not yet been disclosed, but updates will be provided through ongoing interviews with this publication.
This investment and the introduction of advanced equipment strengthen Dong-A Special Metals' leading position in rare metal recycling and manufacturing technology in Asia, significantly boosting its competitiveness in domestic and international markets. Moreover, producing high-purity metals using plasma melting technology is expected to expand its application potential across various advanced industrial fields. The company plans to continue its research and development efforts to seek environmentally friendly and efficient metal recycling methods.
* Site : www.dongaspecial.co.kr
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