Production of Tungsten at Japan New Metals Co., Ltd.

Abstract

Japan New Metals (JNM) was established in 1963, as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Materials and Awamura Mining, and has consistently produced tungsten, tungsten carbide and molybdenum powder from raw materials. Based on the nonferrous manufacturing technologies, we have produced high purity tungsten powder, heteropolyacids and several non-oxide ceramics powders. These are used for electronics devises, hard components and chemicals. In order to avoid the risk related to the supply of tungsten raw materials greatly dependent on China, JNM started a recycling business since 2002. Tungsten is recovered from cemented carbide scraps by the chemical process in the Akita plant.