Mitsubishi Materials to expand tungsten recycling in Akita

Mitsubishi Materials has announced an investment of approximately 8 billion yen ($52 million) to expand tungsten recycling capacity at its subsidiary, Japan New Metals, located at the Akita plant. The project aims to double the annual production capacity of ammonium paratungstate (APT) to 2,400 tons of tungsten trioxide equivalent.

The expansion is part of a broader effort to secure stable supplies of critical minerals following export restrictions from China. The initiative received a 2 billion yen subsidy from Japan’s industry ministry. By increasing the use of domestic tungsten scrap, the company intends to replace roughly 1,200 tons of imported intermediate materials annually.

Tungsten is a vital component in manufacturing, aerospace, and defense industries due to its hardness. Mitsubishi Materials plans to begin equipment installation in fiscal 2026, with full operations expected to commence in April 2029. The company has set a goal to reach a 100% recycling ratio at its tungsten manufacturing sites by fiscal 2030.