Kyocera Corporation announced on October 9 that it will build a new smelting facility at a domestic plant to recover tungsten carbide, the main raw material for cemented carbide, from used cutting tools. Operations are scheduled to start in fiscal year 2030.
The initiative has been certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as a “Supply Assurance Plan for Securing a Stable Supply of Critical Minerals” (Critical Minerals Certification No. 2026-5-1).
Tungsten is the main raw material used in cutting tools for manufacturing automobiles and aircraft, and it is also a critical mineral used in semiconductors and electronic components. However, Japan relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand, and securing a stable supply has become a pressing challenge amid growing global demand and heightened supply risks.
To address this challenge, Kyocera has developed a proprietary technology called the “Amino Acid Shortened Process,” which utilizes naturally derived amino acids. By shortening the production process, the technology enables efficient recovery of tungsten carbide from used cutting tools, thereby promoting resource circulation and reducing environmental impact.
Kyocera has previously worked to extend the service life of cutting tools, reuse them through re-sharpening, and collect used tools. Through the construction of this new facility, the company aims to further strengthen resource circulation, contribute to a stable tungsten supply and a more resilient supply chain, and help realize a sustainable, resource-circulating society.
【Press release】Kyocera to Build New Smelting Facility in Japan to Recycle Used Cutting Tools into Resources
【Reference】Securing a Stable Supply of Critical Minerals (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
【Related article】Mitsubishi Materials Group to Double Tungsten Recycling Capacity, Certified Under METI’s Supply Assurance Plan with Approximately ¥8 Billion Investment
