Mitsubishi Materials to expand tungsten recycling capacity in Akita
2026-09-10 10:31:58 [Print]
Mitsubishi Materials announced on Wednesday that it will invest approximately 8 billion yen ($52 million) to expand tungsten recycling capacity at its subsidiary Japan New Metals, as Japan pursues supplies of the critical mineral following China's export restrictions.
The investment, which received a 2 billion yen subsidy from Japan's industry ministry, will double the Akita plant's annual capacity to produce ammonium paratungstate (APT)-an intermediate used in tungsten metal production-to 2,400 metric tons in tungsten trioxide equivalent.
Equipment installation is scheduled to begin in fiscal 2026, with operations expected to commence in April 2029.
Japan New Metals, the country's only integrated producer of tungsten products from concentrate to powders and carbides, plans to increase its use of domestic tungsten scrap to replace about 1,200 tons per year of imported intermediate materials.
The investment, which received a 2 billion yen subsidy from Japan's industry ministry, will double the Akita plant's annual capacity to produce ammonium paratungstate (APT)-an intermediate used in tungsten metal production-to 2,400 metric tons in tungsten trioxide equivalent.
Equipment installation is scheduled to begin in fiscal 2026, with operations expected to commence in April 2029.
Japan New Metals, the country's only integrated producer of tungsten products from concentrate to powders and carbides, plans to increase its use of domestic tungsten scrap to replace about 1,200 tons per year of imported intermediate materials.
Tungsten Scrap CNC Cutting Blades 70%min Ex-VAT Delivered China
Unit:RMB/kg
China tungsten concentrate producers' output statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
