Recycling of tools

We have a recycling program of used cemented carbide tools which will be converted back into basic raw materials for reuse.

Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten, a division within Sandvik and a world-leading tungsten powder and tungsten carbide producer, has a proprietarily developed recycling process which is clean, efficient and provides powder with the same high quality and properties as from virgin raw materials.

Learn more at the website for Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten

Some recycling facts and benefits

  • We help our customers manage hazardous waste through buyback programs; we repurchase their used cemented-carbide inserts and rock tools, converting them into tungsten carbide powders, and return them to the customer for reuse in their production.
  • We reduce the amount of tungsten extracted from mines. Tungsten is a scarce and finite mineral – estimated reserves of tungsten total about 7 million tons, or 100 years of consumption.
  • Recycling activities provide a steady supply of tungsten as well as a safe supply, since tungsten is classified as a conflict mineral by the US SEC Dodd Frank Act, implying that the source of the tungsten needs to be traced. The recycling schemes use up to 70% less energy and emit up to 40% less carbon dioxide than production with virgin raw materials.

Watch the video to learn more about the process for the recycling of used cemented carbide tools: