Plansee Group Expands U.S. Capacities – Ambassador Visits Headquarters

Breitenwang/Reutte, 02/27/2026 – On February 25, 2026, Arthur Graham Fisher, the U.S. Ambassador to Austria, visited the Plansee Group’s headquarters in Breitenwang/Reutte. The focus of his visit was on recycling technologies that strengthen the global tungsten supply, as well as the company’s planned expansion of its U.S. capacities.

The discussions between the diplomat and the executive board centered on the strategic importance of tungsten for manufacturing and high-tech industries, and the company’s efforts to ensure a stable and independent supply of tungsten. During a tour of the production facilities, the company showcased one of its two recycling processes, through which approximately 90 percent of the tungsten used is already sourced from recycled material.

“With a market share of ten percent, the Plansee Group plays a key role in the global tungsten supply and impressively demonstrates how innovative industrial companies can contribute to stable and sustainable supply chains through circular economy practices and technological expertise,” said Karlheinz Wex, Chairman of the Plansee Group, during the visit. “The planned capacity expansions in the U.S. send a strong signal in this regard.” 

Plansee Group Strengthens Commitment in the U.S.

The American market is becoming increasingly important for the Plansee Group. The company plans to further expand its production capacities in the U.S. in the coming years to secure the long-term supply of tungsten products for the American high-tech industry.

 “The U.S. has traditionally been one of Plansee Group’s most important markets; we have been active here since 1929,” said Karlheinz Wex. “Given the global political situation and our goal to ensure stable, sustainable, and independent tungsten supply in every economic region, we will make additional investments at our U.S. sites to strengthen regional supply and continue to offer our customers a high level of delivery reliability.”

Recycling as a Strategic Pillar of Supply Security

For long-term raw material supply, the Plansee Group relies on three key elements:

• Systematic collection and sorting of tungsten scrap
• Use and further development of state-of-the-art recycling – including thermal-mechanical and chemical recycling processes
• Long-term purchase agreements with tungsten mines, including the Sangdong Mine in South Korea

The Sangdong Mine, one of the world’s most significant tungsten deposits outside China, will supply tungsten concentrates to the Plansee Group after its reopening. These will be further processed in the U.S. by Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP), a U.S. subsidiary of the Plansee Group. 

Tungsten: Essential for Future Technologies

Tungsten is used in numerous industries due to its exceptional material properties – including the highest melting point of all metals – such as:

• All manufacturing industries
• The semiconductor and electronics industry
• Aerospace
• Medical technology
• Security and defense industry

Header image: The Management Board of Plansee Holding with representatives of the U.S. Embassy (from left to right): Ulrich Lausecker, Andreas Schwenninger, U.S. Ambassador Arthur Graham Fisher, Chairman Karlheinz Wex, U.S. Trade Expert Andrea Wimpissinger, Andreas Lackner