# Kazuhiko Nishioka

> Kazuhiko Nishioka is the co-founder and CEO of Sun Metalon, a Japan-origin, Chicago-area climate-tech company decarbonizing the metal industry. A former Nippon Steel engineer with a materials science background from Northwestern University, he built a patented, near zero-emission heating technology that turns metal scrap, sludge and swarf into clean, reusable metal pucks on-site. Founded in 2021, Sun Metalon has raised roughly $42M in total funding, partnered with Toyota on aluminum recycling, and drawn Nippon Steel's first venture investment in its 100-plus-year history.

- **Role:** Co-founder & CEO at Sun Metalon Inc.
- **Organizations:** Sun Metalon Inc., Nippon Steel Corporation (former)
- **Nationality:** Japanese
- **Education:** Materials Science and Engineering (doctoral study), Northwestern University
- **Known for:** Co-founded and leads Sun Metalon, a pioneering US-based startup in metal-industry decarbonization., Developed a patented, near zero-emission metal heating technology that converts scrap, sludge and swarf into reusable metal on-site., Attracted Nippon Steel Corporation's first venture investment in its 100-plus-year history.

## Career timeline

- **2016** — Began materials science and engineering studies at Northwestern University in the US.
- **2018** — Returned to Nippon Steel as an engineer after study in the US.
- **2021** — Co-founded Sun Metalon with fellow engineers, formalizing metal heating technology first tested at a campsite.
- **2023** — Jointly developed an innovative aluminum recycling process with Toyota Motor Corporation; Toyota purchased equipment and began verification testing.
- **2024** — Opened a pilot facility near Chicago; secured Series A funding and an investment/business alliance with Sumitomo Corporation Global Metals.
- **2025** — Closed a Series A second round of $9.1M with backers including Nippon Steel, JBIC and Airbus Ventures, bringing total capital raised to roughly $40M+.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and leads Sun Metalon, a pioneering US-based startup in metal-industry decarbonization.
- Developed a patented, near zero-emission metal heating technology that converts scrap, sludge and swarf into reusable metal on-site.
- Attracted Nippon Steel Corporation's first venture investment in its 100-plus-year history.
- Co-developed an innovative aluminum recycling process with Toyota Motor Corporation.
- Raised approximately $42M in total funding, with investors including JBIC, Airbus Ventures, Sumitomo Corporation Global Metals and Global Brain.
- Built the Venus L / Venus L6 system that turns wet sludge, grinding swarf, chips and turnings into dry metal pucks ready for remelt.

## Latest updates

- **2025-05** — Closed a Series A second round of $9.1M with Nippon Steel, JBIC, Airbus Ventures and Shimadzu Future Innovation Fund, bringing total capital raised to about $40M.
- **2024-10** — Announced an investment and business alliance with Sumitomo Corporation Global Metals to lead metal-industry decarbonization.

## Links

- Website: https://sunmetalon.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kazuhiko-nishioka-44315a14b
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/KazuNishioka

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/kazuhiko-nishioka
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Last updated: 2026-07-01