Tungsten
EU import reliance for tungsten is 80%. Austria, Portugal and Spain mine tungsten, and EU recycling capacity could cover about 42% of EU demand (2016 to 2020).
Figures
Tungsten in four figures
EU import reliance
80%
net imports as a share of EU apparent consumption
Source: European Commission, 2023 study (2016 to 2020)
World processing
86%
China’s share of world tungsten processing, 2016 to 2020
Source: European Commission, 2023 study
Main EU source
32%
China. Next is Austria with 19%.
Source: European Commission, 2023 study (2016 to 2020)
EU demand
17kt
of tungsten a year
Source: SCRREEN, tungsten factsheet
Data as of 27 October 2026
Supply in Europe
Europe’s own supply
EU capacity as a share of EU tungsten demand, 2016 to 2020.
- EU demand100%
- EU extraction capacityAbout 20%
- EU processing capacityAbout 19%
- EU recycling capacityAbout 42%
One grain is 1% of EU tungsten demand. Source: European Court of Auditors, Special report 04/2026, Figure 5 (2016 to 2020)
Outlook
What comes next
- Projects due by 2030
- 27% of 2030 demand
- Known resources
- 29 years of EU demand, 47 with neighbouring countries
- EU Strategic Projects
- Three tungsten projects joined the list on 9 October 2026. The Commission says the 106 Strategic Projects could fully meet the 2030 extraction benchmark for tungsten and cover 57% of the processing benchmark.
Sources: SCRREEN; European Commission, selections of March 2025, June 2025 and October 2026; summed by Hercinia. Resources are not reserves.
Origin
Where tungsten comes from
Use
Where tungsten is used
Cemented carbide
60%
of US tungsten use in 2025 went into cemented carbide parts
Source: USGS 2026
Price
About
8×
the European price of APT (ammonium paratungstate) in August 2026 compared with January 2025
Source: Argus, August 2026
Events
Events and measures
- 1 Jan 2027
- United States
The US Department of Defense will no longer be allowed to buy tungsten metal powder or tungsten heavy alloy mined, refined or separated in China, Russia, Iran or North Korea. Material melted or produced there is already barred.
Source: DFARS 252.225-7052
- Jul 2026
- Plansee and Almonty
The two extend their offtake agreement for tungsten concentrate from Almonty’s Sangdong mine in South Korea to 21 years, with a minimum price.
Source: Plansee Group, 22 July 2026
- Feb 2025
- China
Exports of APT, tungsten oxide, tungsten carbide and listed forms of solid tungsten and tungsten alloy need a licence.
Source: MOFCOM and GACC, Announcement No. 10 of 2025; USGS 2026
- European Commission, Study on the critical raw materials for the EU (2023)
- European Court of Auditors, Special report 04/2026, Critical raw materials for the energy transition
- IEA, Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
- SCRREEN, tungsten factsheet
- European Commission, press release IP/26/2113, 9 October 2026
- Argus, tungsten prices (August 2026)
- Plansee Group, Plansee Group and Almonty extend agreement to ensure supply security (22 July 2026)
- US Department of Defense, DFARS 252.225-7052, restriction on certain magnets, tantalum and tungsten
- MOFCOM and GACC, Announcement No. 10 of 2025 (4 February 2025)
