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Urban Mining with Meaning: BR Metals Champions Responsible Precious Metals Recovery

By SBMA

With a commitment to clean technologies, social impact, and transparent recycling, BR Metals is redefining what ethical value creation means in the circular economy.
As the global metals sector faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental and social impact, Singapore-headquartered BR Metals demonstrates that profitability and purpose can coexist. Named a Business for Good Champion at the 2025 Brands for Good Awards, the company is reshaping how the precious metals recycling industry defines value – moving beyond dollars and troy ounces, toward long-term, verifiable impact.

Building Trust Through Responsible Trade

At the core of BR Metals’ operations is a commitment to responsible sourcing and ethical partnerships. While it does not conduct in-house refining, the company works exclusively with reputable, audited facilities that align with its values. These partners recover platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, and silver from spent catalytic converters, jewellery sweeps and industrial waste, materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste. By facilitating the return of these high-value resources to the production cycle, BR Metals supports both economic and environmental sustainability.
Leading the company’s transformation is founder Frank Chen, a two-time Entrepreneur of the Year (2019, 2024). who has expanded BR Metals’ footprint across Singapore, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. His focus on ethics and operational excellence has positioned BR Metals as trusted regional name in responsible secondary precious metals sourcing and trading.
BR Metals’ venture into precious metals trading evolved naturally from its recovery partnerships. What began as a means to manage recovered metals has since become a core business division, addressing the market’s demand for transparent and accountable trading channels. With its emphasis on pricing integrity, transparency and responsible sourcing, BR Metals has earned the confidence of a wide customer base and established itself as an ethical facilitator within the broader circular economy, where commercial success is tied to doing what’s right.
In a market often driven by price competition, BR Metals differentiates itself through transparency and trust. Its use of digitised assay reports, consistent sampling protocols, and open communication with clients establishes a clear framework for responsible trading. Customers can engage with the company confident that every ounce traded is ethically sourced and accurately represented — a value proposition that resonates in a marketplace increasingly defined by accountability and sustainability.
Catalytic converters recycling.

Innovating for a Cleaner, Safer Industry

Although BR Metals does not operate its own recovery facilities, its investments in upstream innovation are helping raise industry standards and reduce environmental harm. The company’s technology investments include patented bulk sampling systems designed to reduce dust pollution, cross-contamination, and worker exposure; automated laboratory processes that improve assay accuracy and safety, as well as reduces turnaround time, and significantly improves worker safety; and ongoing research into green recovery methods, such as using organic substances like sugar to replace hazardous chemicals.
“These aren’t just technical upgrades,” Chen noted. “They’re strategic moves that help elevate safety, accuracy, and sustainability across our operations and partnerships.”

Creating Shared Value Beyond Business

BR Metals views business success and social impact as interconnected. Its corporate social responsibility strategy is focused on long-term, measurable outcomes, particularly in the areas of education, inclusion, and environmental stewardship.

Through its scholarships and educational partnerships, BR Metals supports the next generation of sustainability leaders. The BR Metals Scholarship at the Singapore Institute of Technology assists undergraduates in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Sustainable Built Environment programme, while the BR Metals Sustainability Scholarship at the Singapore Management University supported students pursuing sustainability-related studies from 2022 to 2024. Together, these initiatives underscore the company’s belief in education as a catalyst for systemic change.
Beyond Singapore, BR Metals’ commitment to education extends to underserved communities in the region. In Laos, the company supported the construction of Keosamy Primary School in the Longxan District, providing access to free education for rural children who previously lacked such opportunities. To complement the new facilities, BR Metals also sponsored the installation of a running water system and sanitation infrastructure, significantly improving hygiene standards and supporting student well-being. These projects reflect a holistic approach – one that sees education, health, and dignity as interconnected aspects of community development.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, BR Metals provided supplies to quarantined migrant workers through The Migrant Centre, reflecting its readiness to step in during times of need

The company’s social initiatives also focus on promoting equity and care. BR Metals supports Pro Bono SG to enhance access to legal aid for low-income individuals, and contributes to the Bukit Gombak Senior Citizens Fund to provide nutritious meals and social programmes for elderly residents of Singapore’s Merdeka and Pioneer Generations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BR Metals provided supplies to quarantined migrant workers through The Migrant Centre, reflecting its readiness to step in during times of need.
Environmental stewardship remains a central tenet of BR Metals’ mission. In Guangzhou, the company has donated books on sustainability, environmental protection, and urban mining to public libraries, aiming to broaden community understanding of circular resource management. Its teams have also led river rehabilitation projects involving clean-up and tree-planting activities to combat soil erosion and restore local ecosystems. Meanwhile, Shaoguan BR Metals actively participates in local environmental and sustainability networks, contributing industry expertise to drive collective progress. These initiatives highlight a consistent message: responsible industry practices must be accompanied by a broader commitment to environmental education and restoration.
As global demand for platinum group metals continues to grow – driven by clean technologies like hydrogen fuel, emissions control and renewable energy – BR Metals continues to strengthen its role in shaping sustainable supply chains through strategic sourcing, reliable sampling, ethical trading, and technical advisory, enabling the circular economy to function with integrity.
By expanding its regional presence, deepening R&D collaborations, and reinforcing social partnerships, the company is positioning itself to lead a new era of responsible resource recovery – one where economic value creation and environmental responsibility advance in tandem.
In an industry historically driven by price per ounce, BR Metals illustrates that true value lies in integrity and long-term impact. Its recognition as a Business for Good Champion reflects both its leadership and its ongoing effort to set a higher standard for the precious metals trade — one grounded in sustainability, transparency, and shared prosperity.
The message is clear: in the future of metals, doing good is not just good optics — it’s sound strategy, and it’s here to stay.

About BR Metals

BR Metals is a leading precious metals trading and recycling services provider in Asia, specialising in platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold and silver sourced from end-of-life industrial materials. Headquartered in Singapore with operations across China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the company collaborates exclusively with reputable, like-minded partners for recovery and refining. It was named a Business for Good Champion in 2025 and is led by Frank Chen, a two-time Entrepreneur of the Year (2019, 2024). Learn more at www.brmetalsltd.com

Singapore Bullion Market 2024 Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference Summary

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Mr Bernard Sin

Regional Director, Greater China
MKS PAMP (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Regional Director of Greater China since 2020, and previously Head of Trading. Bernard joined MKS PAMP as a country representative of Singapore in 1996 and moved to Switzerland in 1997. He holds an MBA in International Business from the European University in Geneva. Prior to joining MKS PAMP, Bernard worked 6 years for Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore and Hong Kong as an FX and Bullion Dealer.

SBMA-Albert-secretariat

Albert Cheng

Chief Executive Officer

Albert Cheng joined the World Gold Council in March 1993 as a Regional Manager, becoming Managing Director, Far East in 2003. He retired at the end of March 2015 and was subsequently named its Advisor. He has also been an International Advisor to the Shanghai Gold Exchange since 2002.

His marketing career began with Dentsu Young & Rubicam, Hong Kong in the early 80’s. He began gold marketing in July 1985 when he joined the Royal Canadian Mint as a Regional Manager for Southeast Asia.

He was appointed honorary CEO of SBMA in November 2015. He is responsible for the success and strategic development of SBMA in partner with the Chairman and the Management Committee. Also, he is responsible for maintaining accountability to and the quality of, the Association’s Membership and the annual Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference (APPMC) as well as representing the interests of the Association in relation to regulators, investors, media and international precious metal markets, and also responsible for all the legal and regulatory aspects of the work of the Association.

SBMA-margare-secretariat

Margaret Wong

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Margaret Wong, Business Director at SBMA (Singapore Bullion Market Association), brought valuable experience from her previous role at the World Gold Council (WGC). Her tenure at WGC provided her with extensive exposure to the gold community in Singapore and the broader region. This background has been instrumental in establishing strong working relationships within the industry.

Margaret’s role at SBMA encompasses a diverse range of responsibilities. She oversees office management, business support processes, finance, and administrative functions essential for the smooth operation of the team and management committee. Additionally, Margaret handles membership matters, member communications, and addresses public inquiries related to SBMA.

One of Margaret’s key responsibilities is coordinating with the Event Management Company for SBMA’s prestigious annual event, the Asia Pacific Precious Metals Conference. This flagship conference plays a crucial role in the industry, making her involvement pivotal in its success.

Described as resourceful and self-motivated, Margaret Wong brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role at SBMA, ensuring efficient operations and effective engagement within the precious metals community in Singapore and beyond.

SBMA Secretariat-Fabian-Lew

Fabian Lew

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Fabian was a Business Development and Marketing Associate before joining SBMA. He graduated from Singapore Management University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

He has joined SBMA since February, 2022.

Ms Crystal Xu

Vice President
TD Securities
Based in Singapore, Crystal has over a decade of experience in the metals market, specializing in trading, structuring, and delivering solutions for institutional and commercial clients across Asia. She leads initiatives spanning both physical and derivative products and plays a central role in advancing TD’s regional metals strategy. With deep expertise in market dynamics and strong cross-functional collaboration, she helps drive business growth, product innovation, and risk-informed decision making across the firm’s Asia-Pacific platform.

SECRETARIAT SBMA Clara-Chang

Clara Chang

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE
Clara Chang joins SBMA as the Marketing & Communications Executive, enriching the team with her extensive experience in content creation, social media management, and digital marketing. Prior to joining SBMA, Clara held the position of Marketing Executive at her previous job. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University at Buffalo, one in International Trade and another in Geographical Information Science. Her core duties will include maintaining the SBMA website, managing the quarterly Crucible newsletter, among other responsibilities.

SECRETARIAT SBMA-Emily-Oh

Emily Oh

OPERATIONS & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Emily Oh is the Operations & Admin Executive, a seasoned professional who values teamwork and effective communication. She is skilled at adapting to new challenges and takes a proactive and resourceful approach to every task. Before joining SBMA, Emily had experience coordinating international travel arrangements and spearheading community initiatives. Her role at SBMA will be providing operational and administrative support for projects and other matters to the team.

Singapore Bullion Market Association Secretariat-Lee-Jia-Yi

Lee Jia Yi

OPERATIONS & ADMIN EXECUTIVE
Before joining SBMA, Jia Yi worked as an Admin & Reporting Officer in her previous role. She holds a Diploma in Business & Social Enterprise from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Jia Yi is responsible for managing and maintaining physical and digital files in SBMA, supporting invoicing processes, reconciling receivables and payables, coordinating meetings and conferences. Additionally, she will provide support to the team and assist the Business Director in managing the Association’s office operations and general administrative activities.

Ms Pawan Nawawattanasub

Ms Pawan Nawawattanasub

CEO
YLG Bullion Singapore Pte Ltd

Pawan is the CEO of YLG Bullion Singapore and founder of YLG Bullion International. She has almost 40 years of experience in the jewellery industry and established YLG in Thailand in 2003. In 2012, she brought YLG to Singapore. She sits on the Board of Directors of the Thailand Gold Traders Association, the Thailand Futures Exchange’s Arbitration Committee, and the Rotary Bangkok committee. She holds a master’s degree in Political Science.

SBMA-Shaokai-Fan

Mr Shaokai Fan

Head of Asia-Pacific (ex China) and Global Head of Central Banks
World Gold Council
Shaokai Fan is the Global Head of Central Banks at the World Gold Council, responsible for advising governments on gold matters, and enhancing the gold market through engagement, dialogue, and thought leadership. He works directly with central banks and sovereign wealth funds on investment considerations. Prior to this position, Shaokai held multiple roles at Standard Chartered Bank, including Director for Asia Strategic Initiatives and Associate-Director for Public Sector coverage. Shaokai holds a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and an undergraduate degree in finance and economics from New York University.

SBMA-Committee-Alan-Liew

Mr Alan Liew

Head of Bullion & Commodities Trading
United Overseas Bank Limited
Alan is Head of Bullion and Commodities Trading for Group Trading in Global Markets, United Overseas Bank (UOB). Alan joined UOB and started the bank’s commodities trading business in 2014, previously he spent eight years in Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) trading both precious and base metals. During his tenure at SCB, he obtained the SGE gold trader licence and was part of the pioneering team for the SGE business and the FX quantitative trading team. Prior to trading, he worked for Monetary Authority of Singapore in the Financial Risk Management Division. He holds a BSc (Hon) in Computer Science at National University of Singapore and a MSc in Financial Engineering at Nanyang Technological University.

SBMA Committee-KL-Yap

Mr KL Yap

General Manager, Singapore Refining Business Unit
Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd
KL YAP is the General Manager of Metalor Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd’s Singapore Refining Business Unit. He joined Metalor in 2013, initially in Refining Sales. In 2014, he became Refining Business Unit Manager, leading the development of a new precious metal refinery. KL was Vice Chairman of SBMA from 2017 to 2021, now serving as Chairman. With a degree in business commerce, finance, and marketing, he brings prior experience from refinery and heavy industries.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Vinh-Nguyen

Mr Vinh Nguyen

Head of Precious Metals, Asia
StoneX APAC Pte Ltd

Vinh Nguyen joined StoneX Group in Singapore at the beginning of 2008 and responsible for its APAC precious metals activities since 2019 until now.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Kazuya-Naoki

Mr Kazuya Naoki

Head of Metals, Asia
ICBC Standard Bank Plc, Singapore Branch

Kazuya (Kaz) Naoki is the Head of Metals, Asia of ICBC Standard Bank in Singapore and is responsible for the precious & base metals sales and trading in the region. He joined Standard Bank Plc Tokyo Branch in 2008 and was relocated to its Singapore Branch in 2013 whose controlling stake was acquired by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in 2015. Prior to joining Standard Bank, Kaz spent 11 years focusing on commodity trading and risk management with Mitsui & Co in Tokyo, Sydney and London. Kaz has been serving on the SBMA Management Committee since 2016.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Andrew-Clarke

Mr Andrew Clarke

Head of Brink’s Global Services
Brink’s Global Services Pte Ltd

Andrew Clarke is the Head of BGS (Brink’s Global Services) for Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. He has held various leadership positions throughout his career in secure logistics and risk management with Brink’s, which started in Hong Kong in 2010. Andrew relocated to Singapore in 2018 to expand the precious metals line of business along with Brink’s portfolio of services and industries.

SBMA Committee-Photo-Raman-Walia

Mr Raman Walia

Executive Director, Head of Commodities Sales – APAC
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

Raman is Executive Director and Head of Commodities Sales, APAC, for J.P. Morgan. He joined JPMorgan in 2008 in New York, moved to Singapore in 2011, and helped expand the precious metals business in the region. Raman has an MBA from Cornell University, and likes to travel in his spare time.

SBMA-Committee-khun nuttapong

Mr Nuttapong Hirunyasiri

CEO
MTS Gold Global Trading Pte Ltd
Nuttapong Hirunyasiri is the CEO of MTS Gold Group, one of Thailand’s top 10 companies and top 3 bullion companies. He started MTS Gold Group’s first overseas office in Singapore and has been expanding the group business internationally. He focuses on product development and innovation for gold investment, with the aim of being a leader in providing the full suite of gold investment services in the ASEAN region.

SBMA-Committee-Nikos

Mr Nikos Kavalis

Managing Director
Metals Focus Singapore Pte Ltd
Nikos Kavalis is a founding partner of Metals Focus. He has over 20 years of experience in precious metals, having previously worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland and GFMS. Since September 2019, Nikos has been based in Singapore, where he also runs the local subsidiary of Metals Focus.