Kyocera will install smelting equipment at a domestic plant to recycle tungsten carbide from used cutting tools. Operations are targeted to begin in fiscal 2030.
On 9 October, Kyocera announced that it will install smelting equipment at one of its domestic plants to recycle tungsten carbide, the primary raw material for cemented carbide, from used cutting tools. Operations are scheduled to begin in fiscal 2030.
The plan to install the equipment has been certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a Supply Security Plan for Ensuring a Stable Supply of Critical Minerals (2026 Critical Minerals No. 5-1).
Tungsten is a critical mineral widely used in automobile and aircraft manufacturing, while Japan relies on imports for much of its domestic demand, making stable supply a challenge. Kyocera said it will use its proprietary amino-acid process-shortening method to shorten the production process, improve the efficiency of recycling tungsten from used tools, and promote resource circulation while reducing environmental impact.
Kyocera has pursued initiatives including extending the life of cutting tools, regrinding them and collecting them. The new equipment is intended to further strengthen resource circulation and contribute to a stable supply of tungsten and a more resilient supply chain.