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Tungsten Carbide Scrap — Complete FAQ
Prices, grades, market drivers, how to sell, and the global factors that move tungsten carbide scrap rates in India. We publish rates and market information based on publicly available data — updated weekly.
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Indicative · Jul 17, 2026 · Not confirmed prices
Indicative ranges only. Contact us for your confirmed rate.
Tungsten Carbide Scrap — Prices
Indicative tungsten carbide scrap rates in India as of July 2026, based on publicly available market data:
Sorted CNC inserts ₹7,000–8,000/kg Carbide rods & blanks ₹7,800–9,000/kg End mills & drills ₹8,000–9,500/kg Mixed / unsorted ₹6,000–7,400/kg
India FOB drill bit scrap was assessed at $130–135/kg by SMM. These are market reference ranges — not confirmed transaction prices. Your actual rate depends on grade, condition, purity, and quantity. We do not provide buy or sell recommendations.
Tungsten carbide is not one material — it is a family of compounds with varying tungsten content, cobalt binder percentage, and grade specifications. A sorted lot of high-cobalt CNC inserts contains significantly more recoverable tungsten per kg than a mixed lot contaminated with steel chips and oil. The range reflects this real difference in material value. Four factors determine where your lot sits: type, cobalt content, cleanliness, and current global market level. Segregating material by type before selling is the single most effective way to move toward the top of the range.
Clean, sorted CNC indexable inserts and solid carbide rods consistently pay the highest rates — currently at the top of the market range at ₹7,000–9,000/kg. These grades are high in tungsten content, easy to identify, and straightforward to recycle. End mills and solid carbide drills are close behind. Carbide-tipped tools (carbide tip on steel shank) pay significantly less because the steel body dilutes recoverable carbide content. Mining buttons and mixed lots fall in the middle of the range.
Tungsten carbide scrap is a composite — tungsten carbide particles bound by a cobalt metal binder. Cobalt is itself a valuable minor metal, and higher cobalt content directly increases the value of the scrap. CNC inserts typically contain 6–15% cobalt by weight. Mining buttons run higher at 15–25%. Rod grades run lower at 3–8%. Buyers assess cobalt content through visual inspection, grade identification, and XRF analysis for large lots. Knowing your grade allows you to benchmark against the correct market reference.
India FOB (free on board) drill bit scrap is the reference price for tungsten carbide scrap exported from India, assessed weekly by SMM. As of the week of July 7, 2026, SMM assessed India FOB drill bits at $140–150/kg and alloy inserts at $130–140/kg — both down 6.8% week on week. This benchmark matters because buyers who export carbide scrap use it as their reference. When India FOB rises, domestic buy rates tend to follow. When it falls, domestic rates compress to protect exporter margins.
Chinese domestic tungsten prices corrected significantly from their February–April 2026 peak. CTIA data shows APT domestic fell to RMB 660,000/t on July 7, 2026 — down 51% from peak — driven by weak downstream demand, seasonal off-season pressure, and buyers destocking inventory. Carbide rod scrap in China dropped to RMB 760/kg on July 8. Indian FOB scrap prices followed, falling 6.8% week on week per SMM data. Despite this correction, prices remain approximately 11.8% above January 2026 levels. This information is published for informational reference only — it does not constitute a sell recommendation.
Global benchmarks — APT Rotterdam and China domestic APT — are assessed weekly by Fastmarkets and SMM respectively. India FOB carbide scrap prices are assessed by SMM on a weekly basis. Domestic India rates reflect these global movements, typically with a lag of a few days to two weeks. We publish updated rate information and weekly market context on our tungsten price page and carbide price page based on publicly available data. For the latest rate on your specific material, contact us directly.
Grades, Types & Identification
Tungsten carbide has three distinctive characteristics: (1) Extreme hardness — a steel file cannot scratch it; you will hear a hard scraping sound with no visible mark. (2) Extreme density — approximately 14–15 g/cc, significantly heavier than steel for the same size. (3) Non-magnetic or very weakly magnetic — a regular magnet will not stick firmly, though some higher-cobalt grades show a slight response. Common forms in Indian industry: CNC indexable inserts, solid carbide end mills and drills, carbide dies, carbide rods and blanks, and mining buttons.
Main commercially traded types in India: CNC inserts (CNMG, TNMG, CCMT etc.) — most common, highest value. Carbide rods and blanks — solid cylinders used in drill and end mill manufacturing. End mills and drills — solid carbide cutting tools in shank form. Carbide dies and punches — wear-resistant tooling from stamping and wire drawing operations. Mining buttons — hemispherical pieces from rock drilling bits, typically higher cobalt. Carbide-tipped tools — carbide tip only on a steel body, lowest value per kg due to steel dilution.
HSS — high-speed steel — is a steel alloy containing tungsten (5–18%), molybdenum, cobalt, and vanadium. It is strongly magnetic, silver in colour, and can be ground with standard abrasives. Tungsten carbide is a ceramic-metal composite — not steel — dark grey, extremely hard, and minimally magnetic. HSS scrap prices in India (₹400–600/kg) are significantly lower than carbide scrap prices (₹6,000–10,000/kg). The difference is tungsten content and form. Always keep HSS and carbide separated — mixing reduces the value of both materials.
Steel chip contamination is the most costly — steel swarf mixed into carbide dilutes recoverable tungsten content and adds processing cost for the recycler. This can reduce your effective rate by 20–35% compared to clean material. Coolant and oil reduce value by 7–15% depending on severity. Clean, dry, separated material consistently receives the highest rate within its grade category. Separating carbide from steel swarf, draining coolant, and keeping grades in separate containers have a direct and measurable impact on your final price.
Market Drivers — APT, China & Global Factors
APT — ammonium paratungstate — is the primary intermediate compound in the tungsten supply chain. It is produced by chemically processing tungsten ore concentrate and then used to manufacture tungsten metal powder, tungsten carbide powder, and ferrotungsten. APT CIF Rotterdam (88.5% WO₃ min) is the global tungsten benchmark, assessed weekly by Fastmarkets. India carbide scrap prices track this benchmark because Indian scrap is ultimately exported to recyclers who use it to produce APT and carbide powder. When APT rises, the value of recycled carbide scrap rises proportionally.
China controls approximately 80% of global tungsten mine output. Since 2023, China progressively tightened export licensing for tungsten products including APT and downstream carbide. In February 2025, MOFCOM implemented stricter controls requiring export licenses. By 2026, only 15 firms are authorised to export tungsten from China through 2027. This created structural supply tightness in Western markets, driving APT Rotterdam from below $300/mtu in early 2025 to a peak of $3,280/mtu in April 2026 — a rise of over 550%. Indian carbide scrap became more globally valuable as Western buyers sought alternative supply.
China domestic APT (SMM benchmark, RMB/tonne) reflects what processors within China pay. As of July 7, 2026 per CTIA data: RMB 660,000/t — down 51% from peak. Rotterdam APT CIF (Fastmarkets benchmark, $/mtu) reflects what Western buyers pay for imported APT — peaked at $3,280/mtu in April 2026. Historically these tracked closely. Since China’s export controls, they have begun to decouple — the 15-firm licensing structure limits the arbitrage that once connected them. Indian scrap traders and exporters should monitor both benchmarks, as they can diverge significantly.
Steel chip contamination is the most costly — steel swarf mixed into carbide dilutes recoverable tungsten content and adds processing cost for the recycler. This can reduce your effective rate by 20–35% compared to clean material. Coolant and oil reduce value by 7–15% depending on severity. Clean, dry, separated material consistently receives the highest rate within its grade category. Separating carbide from steel swarf, draining coolant, and keeping grades in separate containers have a direct and measurable impact on your final price.
Beyond APT and China export controls, four additional factors influence Indian carbide scrap prices: (1) Defence and aerospace demand — tungsten carbide is used in armour-piercing ammunition, missile components, and aircraft parts; elevated military procurement drives demand. (2) EV and semiconductor manufacturing — both sectors use tungsten in tooling, sputtering targets, and electrical contacts. (3) Western mining development — Almonty Industries’ Sangdong mine (South Korea) represents alternative supply; progress can soften prices. (4) USD/INR exchange rate — since Indian scrap is exported and priced in USD, rupee movements directly affect the domestic INR rate received by Indian sellers.
Indian tungsten carbide scrap is primarily exported to China, Japan, Germany, and South Korea for recycling. In the recycling process, carbide scrap is converted back into APT or tungsten carbide powder through chemical and metallurgical processing. This recycled material re-enters the supply chain as raw material for carbide tool manufacturing. European in-warehouse WC drill bit scrap was assessed at €110/kg by SMM as of May 2026. The recycling circuit means Indian scrap prices are ultimately anchored to what international recyclers can pay — which depends on global APT prices.
Selling, Buying & Trading in India
Four steps consistently result in a higher payout: (1) Segregate by type — separate CNC inserts from rods, end mills, and tipped tools. Mixed lots are always valued at the lowest-grade component. (2) Remove steel contamination — use a magnet to pull out steel chips and swarf. (3) Drain coolant and dry — excess oil is weight you will not be paid for and reduces your rate. (4) Know the current market — check the India FOB reference price before selling so you can benchmark any quote you receive. These steps take under an hour for a typical lot and can increase your payout by 20–40%.
We do not provide buy or sell recommendations. This decision must be made based on your own assessment of market conditions and financial requirements. What we can publish for informational reference: Chinese domestic tungsten prices corrected 51% from peak by July 2026, and India FOB scrap fell 6.8% week on week per SMM data. Prices remain above January 2026 levels but are below the April 2026 peak. The structural export controls through 2027 remain in place. We recommend monitoring the weekly market note on our tungsten price page and making decisions based on your own assessment.
Yes. Tungsten carbide scrap is a commercially exported material from India, primarily to China, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. India FOB prices are assessed by SMM weekly. Standard export documentation applies — commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and shipping bill filed with Indian Customs. There are no specific export bans on carbide scrap as of July 2026, though regulations can change. For large lots, exporters typically handle their own freight and documentation. For smaller sellers, connecting with an established export house or trader is the more practical route.
For domestic sale within India, no special material-specific documentation is required for typical quantities from workshops or manufacturers. For GST-registered businesses, a tax invoice from the buyer is standard practice. For large transactions or institutional sellers, a weight certificate from calibrated scales is advisable. For export transactions, standard shipping documentation applies. Always confirm specific documentation requirements with your buyer before completing any transaction.
Pure Tungsten & Other Reference Metals
Pure tungsten scrap contains elemental tungsten metal — not the tungsten carbide compound found in cutting tools. Common forms include TIG welding electrodes (WT20, WL15, pure tungsten), tungsten rods and bars from aerospace and defence applications, balance weights, radiation shielding components, and tungsten wire and filaments from lighting and electronics. Pure tungsten is greyish-white, very dense (19.3 g/cc), and weakly magnetic. India market rates as of July 2026: pure tungsten wire/rod ₹6,500–11,000/kg, tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) ₹2,200–6,500/kg. These are indicative ranges based on published market data only.
Reference rate information for metals adjacent to tungsten carbide, published for informational purposes only: HSS (high-speed steel) — M2 grade approximately ₹300–400/kg, M42 approximately ₹400–640/kg. Significantly lower than carbide due to lower tungsten content and steel base. Nickel alloys (Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy) — typically ₹800–2,500/kg depending on nickel content and alloy type. Cobalt alloys (Stellite and similar) — ₹1,500–3,500/kg depending on cobalt percentage. All figures are indicative market ranges based on publicly available data and should not be taken as confirmed prices or buy/sell recommendations.