A Stable Supply Chain Strengthens the Future of Industrial Production
“Supply Chains Under Strain” – headlines like this have unsettled many companies in recent years. Raw material shortages, geopolitical tensions, and rising energy prices have exposed how vulnerable global networks can be. At CERATIZIT, our customers benefit from a unique and futureproof supply chain designed to withstand these challenges.
For more than 100 years, we have been developing and producing sophisticated cutting and wear‑protection solutions made from hard materials, with a strong focus on tungsten carbide. Tungsten, with its exceptionally high density and the highest melting point of all metals, plays a vital role in numerous high‑tech industrial applications.
As part of the Plansee Group, we maintain a fully integrated value chain – from tungsten powder to the finished tool. This gives us complete control over every crucial step and protects us from short‑term market fluctuations. A key element of this independence is our material supply chain, which is built to be non‑dependent on China, combined with a strong circular‑economy approach. With a 91% tungsten recycling rate in the 2024/25 fiscal year, we significantly reduce our reliance on primary raw materials and lower our overall carbon footprint.
The Pillars of Our Secure Supply Chain
The stability of our value chain is built on a holistic approach. Recycling and material repurchase are central, because tungsten is infinitely recyclable when supported by the proper infrastructure.
We systematically collect tungsten scrap and process it using advanced recycling technologies at Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP) — a CERATIZIT Group entity — in the USA and Finland. Processing tungsten scrap at GTP (US) also yields a cobalt‑containing sludge, which is refined and reused for tungsten carbide powder production. This closed‑loop process eliminates dependence on external supply channels, supports our conflict‑free* status, and strengthens our sustainability performance. Stadler Raw Materials, Europe’s largest tungsten scrap collector and a member of the CERATIZIT Group, plays an indispensable role in this recycling ecosystem.
Beyond recycling, we secure long‑term access to resources through offtake agreements in mining projects and strategic investments. The Plansee Group is the largest single shareholder in Almonty, operator of the Sangdong mine in South Korea — one of the most significant tungsten deposits outside China. All tungsten concentrates from the mine are processed into powder at GTP. Thanks to these combined efforts, CERATIZIT stands as the leading tungsten producers in the Western world, with an exceptionally high share of recycled material.
“Our integrated and recycling-driven supply chain gives customers long-term security in an unpredictable world. By combining strategic investments with one of the industry’s highest tungsten recycling rates, we ensure reliable access to critical raw material supply that is conflict-free and not dependent on supply from China, while reducing our environmental impact.” – Andreas Lackner, Member of the CERATIZIT Group Executive Board.
Transparency and Responsibility
For customers who want precise insight into the carbon footprint of our products, we provide product carbon footprints (PCF) according to VDMA (VDMA 35111)* and ISO (ISO 14067) standards. We are committed to clear decarbonisation targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In addition, we follow strict ESG standards, operate under a global QHSE framework, and enforce a Supplier Code of Conduct that ensures environmental, social, and ethical responsibility throughout our supply chain.
In a world full of uncertainties, a stable supply chain acts as an insurance policy — not just for industry today, but for the future. With strong backward integration, a circular business model, clear sustainability goals, and a rigorous ESG framework, we demonstrate every day that CERATIZIT is a reliable partner, now and in the years to come.
*CERATIZIT ensures all raw materials are sourced responsibly through RMI‑conformant smelters (Responsible Minerals Initiative), guaranteeing ethical, sustainable, and traceable supply chains.
*VDMA: The German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association represents thousands of companies and supports innovation, standardization, market insights, and political advocacy within mechanical and plant engineering.
CERATIZIT – Tooling a Sustainable Future
For over 100 years, CERATIZIT has been a pioneer developing exceptional hard material products for cutting tools and wear protection. The privately owned company, based in Mamer, Luxembourg, develops and manufactures highly specialised carbide cutting tools, inserts and rods made of hard materials as well as wear parts. The CERATIZIT Group is the global market leader in several application segments for wear parts and rods and successfully develops new carbide, cermet and ceramic grades, for example, in wood, metal and stone working.
With more than 7,000 employees at more than 30 production facilities and a sales network with over 70 branches, CERATIZIT is a global player in the carbide industry. The company's international network includes the subsidiaries Stadler Raw Materials, Global Tungsten & Powders as well as the joint venture CB-CERATIZIT.
The technology leader is continually investing in research and development and holds more than 1,000 patents. Innovative hard material solutions from CERATIZIT are used in various sectors, including mechanical engineering and toolmaking, in the automotive and aerospace industries and in the oil, gas and medical industries.
Press contact
CERATIZIT S.A.
Press section
101, Route de Holzem
LU-8232 Mamer, Luxemburg
Tel.: +352 31 20 85-854
[email protected]
www.ceratizit.com
“Supply Chains Under Strain” – headlines like this have unsettled many companies in recent years. Raw material shortages, geopolitical tensions, and rising energy prices have exposed how vulnerable global networks can be. At CERATIZIT, our customers benefit from a unique and futureproof supply chain designed to withstand these challenges.
For more than 100 years, we have been developing and producing sophisticated cutting and wear‑protection solutions made from hard materials, with a strong focus on tungsten carbide. Tungsten, with its exceptionally high density and the highest melting point of all metals, plays a vital role in numerous high‑tech industrial applications.
As part of the Plansee Group, we maintain a fully integrated value chain – from tungsten powder to the finished tool. This gives us complete control over every crucial step and protects us from short‑term market fluctuations. A key element of this independence is our material supply chain, which is built to be non‑dependent on China, combined with a strong circular‑economy approach. With a 91% tungsten recycling rate in the 2024/25 fiscal year, we significantly reduce our reliance on primary raw materials and lower our overall carbon footprint.
The Pillars of Our Secure Supply Chain
The stability of our value chain is built on a holistic approach. Recycling and material repurchase are central, because tungsten is infinitely recyclable when supported by the proper infrastructure.
We systematically collect tungsten scrap and process it using advanced recycling technologies at Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP) — a CERATIZIT Group entity — in the USA and Finland. Processing tungsten scrap at GTP (US) also yields a cobalt‑containing sludge, which is refined and reused for tungsten carbide powder production. This closed‑loop process eliminates dependence on external supply channels, supports our conflict‑free* status, and strengthens our sustainability performance. Stadler Raw Materials, Europe’s largest tungsten scrap collector and a member of the CERATIZIT Group, plays an indispensable role in this recycling ecosystem.
Beyond recycling, we secure long‑term access to resources through offtake agreements in mining projects and strategic investments. The Plansee Group is the largest single shareholder in Almonty, operator of the Sangdong mine in South Korea — one of the most significant tungsten deposits outside China. All tungsten concentrates from the mine are processed into powder at GTP. Thanks to these combined efforts, CERATIZIT stands as the leading tungsten producers in the Western world, with an exceptionally high share of recycled material.
“Our integrated and recycling-driven supply chain gives customers long-term security in an unpredictable world. By combining strategic investments with one of the industry’s highest tungsten recycling rates, we ensure reliable access to critical raw material supply that is conflict-free and not dependent on supply from China, while reducing our environmental impact.” – Andreas Lackner, Member of the CERATIZIT Group Executive Board.
Transparency and Responsibility
For customers who want precise insight into the carbon footprint of our products, we provide product carbon footprints (PCF) according to VDMA (VDMA 35111)* and ISO (ISO 14067) standards. We are committed to clear decarbonisation targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In addition, we follow strict ESG standards, operate under a global QHSE framework, and enforce a Supplier Code of Conduct that ensures environmental, social, and ethical responsibility throughout our supply chain.
In a world full of uncertainties, a stable supply chain acts as an insurance policy — not just for industry today, but for the future. With strong backward integration, a circular business model, clear sustainability goals, and a rigorous ESG framework, we demonstrate every day that CERATIZIT is a reliable partner, now and in the years to come.
*CERATIZIT ensures all raw materials are sourced responsibly through RMI‑conformant smelters (Responsible Minerals Initiative), guaranteeing ethical, sustainable, and traceable supply chains.
*VDMA: The German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association represents thousands of companies and supports innovation, standardization, market insights, and political advocacy within mechanical and plant engineering.
CERATIZIT – Tooling a Sustainable Future
For over 100 years, CERATIZIT has been a pioneer developing exceptional hard material products for cutting tools and wear protection. The privately owned company, based in Mamer, Luxembourg, develops and manufactures highly specialised carbide cutting tools, inserts and rods made of hard materials as well as wear parts. The CERATIZIT Group is the global market leader in several application segments for wear parts and rods and successfully develops new carbide, cermet and ceramic grades, for example, in wood, metal and stone working.
With more than 7,000 employees at more than 30 production facilities and a sales network with over 70 branches, CERATIZIT is a global player in the carbide industry. The company's international network includes the subsidiaries Stadler Raw Materials, Global Tungsten & Powders as well as the joint venture CB-CERATIZIT.
The technology leader is continually investing in research and development and holds more than 1,000 patents. Innovative hard material solutions from CERATIZIT are used in various sectors, including mechanical engineering and toolmaking, in the automotive and aerospace industries and in the oil, gas and medical industries.
Press contact
CERATIZIT S.A.
Press section
101, Route de Holzem
LU-8232 Mamer, Luxemburg
Tel.: +352 31 20 85-854
[email protected]
www.ceratizit.com