Shinko Chemical Starts Gallium Recycle, to Expand Pure Selenium Output

Osaka based rare metal compounds maker, Shinko Chemical started the gallium recycling business with hydrometallurgical process to recover the metal from semiconductor compounds scrap. The firm tries to make monthly 500 kilogram of gallium. The firm also expands the high purity selenium to monthly 4-5 tonnes. The firm started the gallium recycling development at Amagasaki plant since 5 years ago. The firm built gallium recycling plant with leaching and electrolytic facilities in new plant completed last year. The recycling plant started commercial operation to make gallium with 99.99% purity at 100-200 kg per month. The raw material is mainly scrap of gallium arsenide semiconductor compound. The firm supplies the recycled gallium to scrap supplying makers. The firm tries to expand the recycling business for one of the core rare metal items after indium and selenium. The firm makes recycled selenium, tellurium and indium and compound at Amagasaki plant. The firm expands the output of selenium with more than 99.999% purity from current 1 tonne per month to 4-5 tonnes by rebuilding existing equipment.