Stable and independent supply of tungsten

Twenty years ago, the Plansee Group set the strategic goal of securing a stable and independent supply of tungsten for its customers. The recycling of tungsten plays a crucial role in this. Up to 90 percent of the world's known tungsten deposits are located in China and Russia.

Tungsten is an element with an exceptionally high density and the highest melting point of all metals, making it essential for a wide range of applications in the high-tech world. To ensure a secure supply of the metal for its customers, the Plansee Group relies on three pillars:

• collecting tungsten scrap
• developing and optimizing recycling technologies
• establishing long-term offtake agreements with tungsten mine operators

"Today, the Plansee Group is the largest manufacturer of tungsten products outside of China. Our tungsten products contain up to 90 percent recycled material," says Karlheinz Wex, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Plansee Group. The Plansee HPM business area has a comprehensive portfolio of tungsten metal products. The Ceratizit business area processes tungsten carbide into particularly wear-resistant carbide tools.

Collecting and sorting tungsten scrap

Tungsten is infinitely recyclable, and the Plansee Group recovers and reuses it from both used products and production waste. To support the systematic collection of tungsten scrap, the company has established buy-back agreements with customers and implemented comprehensive collection and sorting systems. In 2018, the Plansee Group acquired Stadler, the largest trading company for tungsten scrap in Europe. "Every kilogram of recycled material helps to conserve natural resources and improves our carbon footprint," says Karlheinz Wex.

Recycling technologies

The Plansee Group has spent decades developing recycling technologies for tungsten. The focus here is on two processes: In thermal-mechanical recycling, well-sorted scrap undergoes multiple processes to directly produce ready-to-press tungsten powder. In chemical recycling, tungsten-containing scrap is converted into tungsten metal or tungsten carbide. Tungsten made from chemically recycled material is identical to tungsten made from ore that is extracted from mines. These processes are carried out by the Group’s subsidiary, Global Tungsten & Powders.

Offtake agreements with mines

In addition to supply contracts with tungsten mines in Central America and on the Iberian Peninsula, the Sangdong mine in South Korea will soon play a key role. Operated by the company Almonty Industries, the mine holds one of the world's largest tungsten reserves. When it reopens in 2026, the Sangdong mine is expected to produce up to 20 percent of all tungsten ore concentrates outside China. The Plansee Group is the largest shareholder in Almonty with 16 percent and has secured the entire production from the Sangdong mine through long-term purchase agreements. Tungsten ore concentrate is processed into high-quality tungsten products by Global Tungsten & Powders.

High security of tungsten supply

"Thanks to the recycling of tungsten scrap and long-term offtake agreements with mines, we are able to offer our customers a high level of supply security for tungsten products at all processing stages: tungsten powder, semi-finished tungsten products and a wide range of tungsten-based carbide tools, wear parts and tungsten components. This allows our customers to focus fully on their projects, while we ensure a stable, sustainable and independent supply of raw materials in all key economic regions," says Karlheinz Wex.

About tungsten

Tungsten is mainly used in the manufacture of highly wear-resistant carbide tools, in the electronics and semiconductor industries, in aerospace and in medical applications.

About the Sangdong Mine

·       Location: Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province, South Korea

·       Distance to Seoul: 190 km southeast, approximately a three-hour drive

·       History: Discovered in 1916, active from 1930 to 1994, to be reopened in 2026

·       Production: Expected mine life of over 100 years

·       Investment: Over 125 million US dollars in the initial phase of the project