EUROPEAN MACHINE TOOL INDUSTRY STEPS UP CEMENTED CARBIDE RECYCLING IN RESPONSE TO PRESSURE ON TUNGSTEN

The European metalworking industry is facing growing tensions in the supply of tungsten, a key raw material for the manufacture of cemented carbide tools. Since February 2025, export restrictions imposed by China—which accounts for more than 80% of global tungsten extraction and processing—have had a significant impact on costs and availability for the sector.

According to data from the market research agency Fastmarkets, the price of tungsten (APT) increased by around 130% in November 2025 compared to the beginning of the year, with a particularly sharp rise in the second half of the year. Furthermore, supply security for 2026 is not guaranteed, which points to possible bottlenecks along the value chain.

In this context, the European Cutting Tools Association (ECTA) has called for strengthening the European cemented carbide recycling cycle. Its president, Federico Costa, stresses that “tungsten is a strategic raw material and must be kept within the European cycle” in order to move towards greater industrial independence.

For decades, cemented carbide recycling has been an economically and environmentally efficient solution, enabling the production of new tools with a high recycled content. However, the export of cemented carbide scrap outside the European market reduces internal availability, increases costs, and weakens industrial resilience.

Given that cemented carbide represents the main destination for tungsten—alongside applications in special steels, chemical processes, and the defence sector—the industry considers it a priority to consolidate a strong circular economy in Europe as a key element of competitiveness and strategic autonomy.