Business · Companies · 1 week ago
Sumitomo Electric to expand tools using less tungsten by 30%
Sumitomo Electric will expand its range of tools using less tungsten by 30% as supplies of the metal become harder to secure.
The Japanese company’s alternative tools use 80% less tungsten than conventional tools.
Tungsten is a very hard metal used in cutting tools that shape or drill parts for cars and aircraft.
China accounts for about 80% of global tungsten production, and its export controls are making the metal harder to obtain.
The tools matter because manufacturers rely on tungsten-based equipment to process industrial parts.
Sumitomo Electric is also developing technology to make its lower-tungsten tools more resistant to chipping.
Sumitomo Electric Industries plans to expand its range of tools that use less tungsten by 30%.
The tools use 80% less tungsten than conventional tools.
The company is expanding the range as China’s export controls make tungsten harder to secure.
The tools are used to cut or drill materials for products including cars and aircraft.
Sumitomo Electric is also developing technology to improve functions such as resistance to chipping.
- Who
- Sumitomo Electric Industries.
- What
- It plans to expand its range of tools using 80% less tungsten by 30%.
- When
- The report was published on October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- China’s export controls are making tungsten harder to secure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Range expansion
- 30%
- Tungsten reduction
- 80% less tungsten in the alternative tools
- Publication date
- October 27, 2026
- China
- Accounts for about 80% of world tungsten production