Sumitomo Electric has created a domestic recycling system, which completes all recycling processes of precious tungsten in Japan, by collecting scrap tungsten carbide inserts and rotary tools sorted by Toyota and reprocessing them as recycled tungsten carbide products.

Today, more and more super-hard, lightweight materials, such as titanium, Inconel® and new aluminum alloys, are desired in various industrial fields including aerospace, defense, energy, and transport. The hardness of these materials, however, inevitably creates a demand for more accurate and advanced machining, which is the most urgent issue in the metal-working industry in order to achieve a competitive edge in the global market.

Emphasizing environmental issues as one of the most important challenges for our business, Sumitomo Electric will continue to meet customer demands and spare no effort in reducing the environmental impact in all aspects of the life cycle of tungsten carbide tools: production, use, regrinding, and recycling.

Once upon a time, encountering rock formations during a bore could completely stall an horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operation. Back then, if rock was encountered, bores would be abandoned.

Fast forward to today and a time in which advancements in tooling technology and processes have made rock drilling commonplace and opened a vast market for both HDD contractors and utility service providers.
But even today, the right tools and processes can mean the difference between completing the job and completing it profitably — and there’s a lot of homework to be done before tool selection can begin.

“It’s important to gather as much information as possible about the soil conditions and rock formations along the bore path before you ever start,” says Sharewell HDD president Greg Wilson. He encourages contractors to take core samples, test the hardness of the rock and map formation changes on the bore plan, “so the driller will know when he’ll be entering and leaving different formations,” he says.

Additionally, make sure you have the right rig for the job. For the tooling to work as designed, it must be powered by a drilling rig with enough thrust and torque to turn the tooling properly and cut the hole efficiently. A proper drilling fluid program is also critical, as fluid must be pumped at a higher volume during rock bores in order to both clean the hole and provide the hydraulic power to operate some types of downhole equipment.

The latest model of smart pen looks and feels pretty much like a real, regular pen, and writes that way as well, with tungsten carbide ball as the ballpoint. Customers' average user might not even notice, as the weight and balance are great, and the motion and movement quite good. Filled with a decent cartridge, their Swiss-made tungsten-carbide ballpoint ink flows smoothly. As with all similar smartpens, the only slight annoyance is that you have to use special paper with the system. Fifty sheets are included and you can print or buy additional quite easily. The paper features nearly invisible dots that allow the pen to track exactly where it is on the page.

Unlike prior models, this one transmits them nearly instantly to a nearby device using Bluetooth wireless. Simply pair your iPhone or iPad with the pen, and you know have an instant way to capture and store your handwriting. Pen emails and immediately send them, or have your grocery lists saved for posterity. If you want, you can also convert your scrawls to useful text, using pretty accurate OCR (optical character recognition). We found it to be about 90% accurate, either while using cursive or otherwise- better than we expected! Any iOS 7 device will work, and though Android is not currently supported, the company claims that this model will be have compatibility forthcoming in 2014.

Allegheny Technologies Inc., on November 4, 2013, completed the sale of its tungsten materials business to Latrobe, PA-based wear-resistant products company Kennametal Inc. (KMT) for $605 million. The business unit, which produces tungsten powder, tungsten heavy alloys, tungsten carbide materials and tungsten carbide cutting tools, generated $338.6 million of total net revenues and $37.2 million of operating profit for the year ended Dec 31, 2012.

Allegheny Technologies Inc. originally had three main business segments: Flat-Rolled Products, High Performance Metals and Engineered Products. However, the company, in October 2013, announced the restructuring of its Engineered Products segment, including the integration of the specialty steel forgings business into ATI Ladish's forgings operations in the High Performance Metals division and the integration of the precision titanium and specialty alloy flat-rolled finishing business into ATI Allegheny Ludlum's specialty plate business in the Flat-Rolled Products segment. Other businesses that comprised the Engineered Products division have been classified as discontinued operations and include the tungsten materials business and the iron castings and fabricated components businesses.

Allegheny decided to divest its tungsten materials business so that it can focus more on its core businesses High Performance Metals and Flat-Rolled Products. The acquisition is also expected to increase Allegheny's financial flexibility and simplify its capital allocation and deployment.

Allegheny's Flat-Rolled Products segment produces, converts and distributes stainless steel, nickel-based alloys, titanium and titanium-based alloys, and specialty alloys in various product forms - plates, sheets, engineered strips and precision rolled strip products, as well as grain-oriented electrical steel sheets - to independent service centers and end-use customers. It serves chemical process, oil and gas, electrical energy, automotive, food equipment and appliances, machine and cutting tools, construction and mining, aerospace and defense, electronics, communication equipment and computer industries. In the segment, Allegheny owns a 60% interest in a Chinese joint venture company, Shanghai STAL Precision Stainless Steel Company Limited (STAL), which commenced commercial production in 2000. Baosteel Group owns the remaining 40%. Allegheny also owns a 50% interest in the industrial titanium joint venture known as Uniti LLC. Verkhnaya Salda Metallugical Production Association (VSMPO), the Russian producer of titanium, aluminum and specialty steel products owns the remaining 50% interest.

Allegheny's High Performance Metals segment produces, converts and distributes high performance alloys including nickel and cobalt-based alloys and super alloys titanium and titanium-based alloys exotic metals (such as zirconium, hafnium, niobium and nickel-titanium) and their related alloys and other specialty alloys primarily in long product forms, such as ingot, billet, bar, shapes and rectangles, rod, wire, seamless tube, and castings. It sells products directly to end-users in the aerospace and defense, chemical process industry, oil and gas, electrical energy and medical sectors. About 70% of the demand in the segment comes from the aerospace and defense market.

Allegheny recorded sales of roughly $5,032 million in 2012 with Flat-Rolled Products, High Performance Metals and Engineered Products segments accounting for 47%, 43% and 10%, respectively.


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Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.,headquartered in Osaka, Japan, has started tungsten refining and scrap recycling operations in the United States. Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc., a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric, and New York Tungsten LLC, a subsidiary of Buffalo Tungsten Inc., a tungsten powder producer in the United States, have established a joint venture company, Niagara Refining LLC (NIRE), to produce tungsten trioxide (WO3) from raw ore as well as from recycled material at NIRE’s facility in Depew, N.Y.

Operations are set to begin in March 2014.

Until now, A.L.M.T Corp., a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric, has imported WO3 from China and other countries to produce tungsten carbide powder as a raw material for carbide tools. A.L.M.T. also has been engaged in tungsten scrap recycling at itsToyama, Japan, plant since 2011.

With the start of NIRE’s operations, Sumitomo Electric will produce raw materials for tungsten by both refining tungsten ore from tungsten mines and by recycling scrap collected from the market.

Sumitomo Electric says it will accelerate its activities to facilitate a stable supply of tungsten raw materials through using WO3 produced by NIRE and tungsten carbide powder production by A.L.M.T. This will allow Sumitomo Electric to control the supply chain from raw materials all the way to the finished product, which will further strengthen its competitiveness and achieve synergy through cooperation within the group, according to the company.


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Sometimes finding a mineral deposit is about having found it once before. Cadillac Ventures (V.CDC) CEO Norman Brewster had brought the Burnt Hill tungsten/tin mine to test production in the early 1980’s at which point the price of tungsten collapsed. For 30 years little work was done on the deposit.

Located 110 kilometers north of Fredericton New Brunswick, the Burnt Hill area was purchased by Brewster and was joint ventured in 2007. Because the work on the area was historical Brewster explained, “We have to recreate the work I did in the 1980’s. Redo the bulk sample and redo the drilling”.

This would advance Cadillac to feasibility at Burnt Hill itself. However, on November 5, 2013, Cadillac announced that it had discovered a second mineral occurrence a Wolf Ridge, 3-6 kilometers away from the original Burnt Hill deposit. This second occurrence was discovered by the use of airborne data and trenching. The size of this occurrence is comparable in scale and grade to the original Burnt Hill deposit.

Brewster points out that the new occurrence is somewhat different from the Burnt Hill deposit as it contains much more tin. “That’s important because the tin market is a bigger market than the market for tungsten.” Tin is something of a stealth strategic metal as it is used in the solder which is used in electronic devices. (For example, an I-Pad uses between 1-3 grams of tin.)

A couple of days after announcing completion of the acquisition of Allegheny Technologies Incorporated’s (ATI) tungsten materials business, Kennametal Inc. (KMT) at its Analysts Day held on Nov 6, 2013 provided details on integration synergies expected out of the transaction.

Let us first get a quick look at the acquisition details provided earlier by Kennametal:

The agreement was announced by Kennametal on Sep 16, 2013. Allegheny Technologies’ tungsten materials business is a leading producer of tungsten metallurgical powders and also provides tooling technologies and components. The business has two divisions namely, ATI Firth Sterling and ATI Stellram. Annual revenue generation capacity of the business is $340 million and employs 1,175 people operating from 14 facilities worldwide.

The transaction value was fixed at $605 million, which Kennametal paid using its available cash and borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility. The company anticipates it will realize $30-$45 million in annual savings (versus $30-$40 million expected earlier) via consolidation of both the operations, reduction in administrative overhead costs and leveraging supply chain. Integration costs of $40-$50 million are anticipated to be incurred through fiscal 2016.

Also, the management of Kennametal provided a near-term outlook on the acquisition. Sales within $200-$220 million range with neutral earnings impact is anticipated for the eight months of fiscal 2014. Cash tax benefits of $60-$70 million are also expected to be realized during the period.  

This acquisition builds on Kennametal's Emura and Stellite acquisitions, while also increasing the company's presence in key growth sectors, including aerospace, energy and associated process industries. Further, it has also accelerated Kennametal’s plan for an advanced tungsten carbide facility. The company has lowered its capital spending plans in a big way, from $65 million to $35 million.

Besides the acquisition details, Kennametal at its Analysts Day also discussed its long-term targets/goals. The company anticipates achieving organic growth rate of 6%-10% (CAGR), EBIT % to be greater than equal to 15%, earnings per share to grow within 15%-20% (CAGR), capital expenditures to be 3%-4% of sales, and free cash flow to be greater than or equal to net income. By fiscal 2017, the company anticipates to double its base business to $5-$6 billion range.

The company also maintained its previously provided guidance for fiscal 2014. These include sales within $2.7-$2.8 billion range, organic growth within 4%-6% range, earnings per share within $2.90-$3.05 range, cash flow from operations within $330-$380 million range, capital expenditure within $130-$150 million range and free cash flow within $200-$230 million range.

Kennametal Inc. currently has a market capitalization of $3.6 billion. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Other stocks to watch out for in the industry are Xylem Inc. (XYL) with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. (LECO) with a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).


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Allegheny decided to divest its tungsten materials business so that it can focus more on its core businesses – High Performance Metals and Flat-Rolled Products. The acquisition is also expected to increase Allegheny’s financial flexibility and simplify its capital allocation and deployment.

Allegheny’s tungsten materials business operates through roughly 1,175 employees across 14 operating facilities globally and consists of two market-leading divisions – ATI Firth Sterling and ATI Stellram. It produces tungsten powder, tungsten heavy alloys, tungsten carbide materials and carbide cutting tools. The business unit generated $338.6 million of total net revenues and $37.2 million of operating profit for the year ended Dec 31, 2012.

Kennametal paid for the acquisition partly by cash and partly by available borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility.

Allegheny’s sole financial advisor and legal counselor for this transaction were The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) and K&L Gates LLP, respectively. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, which operates as a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), acted as the financial advisor to Kennametal on the transaction.

Allegheny posted its third-quarter 2013 results on Oct 23. The company reported loss from continuing operations of $28.4 million (or 27 cents per share) compared with a profit of $31.3 million (or 29 cents per share) recorded a year ago. After excluding a loss of 4 cents per share due to the effects of income taxes reported in domestic and foreign jurisdictions, loss from continuing operations was 23 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate loss of 28 cents.

Allegheny recorded a loss of 5 cents per share in the reported quarter from discontinued operations that include the tungsten materials business and the iron castings and fabricated components businesses.

Revenues slipped 14% year over year to $972 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,051 million. Revenues were hurt by lower demand across several end markets including oil and gas, jet engine aftermarket, electrical energy, and construction and mining. Allegheny also witnessed lower pricing for many of its products and a decline in raw materials surcharges.

Allegheny expects business conditions to remain challenging through the end of 2013 and potentially in 2014 due to the U.S. debt ceiling and other fiscal policy issues.

Allegheny is primarily focusing on cost optimization and is accelerating its cost reduction efforts. Allegheny, through this move, was successful in gross cost reductions of $123.4 million during the first nine months of 2013, a pace which is well ahead of its 2013 target of $100 million in new cost reductions. The company remains well positioned to align its production, and inventory levels to match the demands of its customers and end markets.


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Specialty metals maker Allegheny Technologies Inc. has completed its earlier announced sale of its tungsten materials business to Latrobe, PA-based wear-resistant products company Kennametal Inc. for $605 million. Shares of Allegheny moved up as much as around 2% during the trading session following the declaration of the news.

Allegheny decided to divest its tungsten materials business so that it can focus more on its core businesses – High Performance Metals and Flat-Rolled Products. The acquisition is also expected to increase Allegheny’s financial flexibility and simplify its capital allocation and deployment.

Allegheny’s tungsten materials business operates through roughly 1,175 employees across 14 operating facilities globally and consists of two market-leading divisions – ATI Firth Sterling and ATI Stellram. It produces tungsten powder, tungsten heavy alloys, tungsten carbide materials and carbide cutting tools. The business unit generated $338.6 million of total net revenues and $37.2 million of operating profit for the year ended Dec 31, 2012.

Kennametal paid for the acquisition partly by cash and partly by available borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility.


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Using data from a large US health survey, the study has shown that high tungsten levels – as measured in urine samples – are strongly linked with an increase in the occurrence of stroke, roughly equal to a doubling of the odds of experiencing the condition.

Conducted by a team from the University of Exeter, the study represents the most comprehensive analysis to date of the potential health effects of the metal.

According to figures from the World Health Organisation, stroke is currently the second leading cause of death in the Western world, ranking only second to heart disease. It is also the leading cause of disability in adults, often resulting in loss of motor control, urinary incontinence, depression and memory loss.

The research used data from the US based National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), analysing information for 8614 participants aged between 18 and 74 over a 12 year period.

Higher tungsten levels were found to be strongly associated with an increase in the prevalence of stroke, independent of typical risk factors. Importantly, the findings show that tungsten could be a significant risk factor for stroke in people under the age of 50.