Steppe Copper LLC and Joetsu Bronz1 Corporation signs business partnership: Aiming for the sharing of copper products and copper powder technology and market R&D

Steppe Copper LLC, together with its subsidiary Steppe Metal Powder LLC (SMP) (collectively, as part of “Steppe Group”), has signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Business Partnership with Japan’s Joetsu Bronz1 Corporation (JCP) in Joetsu city, Niigata, Japan, marking a major milestone in international collaboration for sales of copper powder in Japan and mutually beneficial value-chain creation, including powder metallurgy (PM) parts.

The overview of the partnership

This partnership establishes a framework for mutual cooperation that leverages the complementary strengths of both organizations. JCP holds knowledge and experiences regarding copper alloy materials as well as production, sales, R&D, and marketing of NC processed products in Japan. On the other hand, Steppe Group holds the experience and knowledge of production and international supply chain of copper cathode and copper powder. The parties will aim to further competitiveness in their business market by merging these strengths.

This memorandum encompasses the agreement on strategic direction for collaboration in several fields, representatively including (1) sales of copper powder made by SMP in Japan, and (2) development and sales of their original merchandises utilizing powder metallurgy technology as application.

Signing Ceremony

The memorandum was formally executed by Mr. Koji Yamamoto, President of Joetsu Bronz1 Corporation, and Mr. Askhar Bakyei, Deputy CEO of Steppe Copper, in the presence of board and management members of both group companies. It was highlighted during the ceremony that the conclusion of partnership by the companies with “copper” in their names would be a huge step to create further synergy in the future. The mutual visit by since 2023 led to this joint initiative and the signing of the MoU. This collaboarion was facilitated by consecutive factory visits and seminar discussions under ‘Research and Development of New Materials and Advanced Technologies’ project actively pursued by Prof. Makoto Nanko from the Nagaoko Univsersity of Technology, Dr. Masao Tokita, Dr. Delgermaa Mangal and Mr. Boldbaatar Dalai from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.