DURIT Recycling

carbide recycling and purchase of tungsten carbide scrap

Hartmetall Recycling

We purchase your carbide scrap (WC/Co) at current market prices—with transparent pricing, convenient collection and fast processing.

closing material loops. Securing raw materials.

 

fair & transparent:
Market-based pricing according to material grade and purity.

simple & fast:
Order a collection box, fill it and schedule the pickup.

sustainable:
Up to 75% energy savings and 40% lower CO₂ emissions.

Request a quotation
Hartmetall Recycling

What is carbide scrap?

The material

Carbide is not a homogeneous metal but a composite material consisting of fine tungsten carbide (WC) grains, typically ranging in size from 0.5 to 10 µm, embedded in a binder phase of cobalt (Co) or, less commonly, nickel (Ni). The cobalt content generally ranges from 5% to 15%, while special grades may contain up to 30%. This composition is precisely what makes used carbide so valuable: tungsten can be recovered from carbide scrap almost completely, with no significant loss of quality. 

Recycled tungsten carbide powder typically achieves the same level of purity as virgin powder and can be reused directly in the sintering process for manufacturing new tools.

The raw material

Tungsten is classified by the European Union as a critical and strategic raw material under the Critical Raw Materials Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252).
As mining is concentrated in only a few countries outside Europe, the EU aims to cover around 25% of its demand for strategic raw materials through recycling by 2030. By returning carbide scrap instead of disposing of it, companies create an additional source of revenue while reducing their dependence on volatile raw material markets.

What we accept

Solid carbide round tools (solid carbide) ::

Drills, end mills, reamers and more

indexable inserts (mixed) ::

Standard and special geometries

wear parts ::

e.g. drawing and stamping tools, guides, nozzles, rollers and dies

soft scraps ::

Sludge, dust/chips, unsintered powder and green compacts (stored separately and tightly sealed)

What we do not accept

High-speed steel (HSS) is often confused with carbide, but it is an iron-based alloy containing dissolved tungsten, molybdenum and vanadium rather than a sintered tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) composite. As a result, the amount of economically recoverable tungsten is significantly lower, which is why HSS is not purchased or valued as carbide scrap.

Practical tip: Carbide is considerably harder and more brittle than HSS. Unlike HSS, it cannot be machined with a file.

How it works—in 6 steps

« 1 »
request a quotation

Request online, specify the material grade and quantity

« 2 »
container

Receive a collection box or drum, including a return shipping label

« 3 »
packaging

Dry, oil-free, clean and securely palletised

« 4 »
collection

Arrange a pickup date

« 5 »
evaluation

Weighing, laboratory sample analysis, final quotation

« 6 »
payment

Payment or account credit

Packaging & logistics—at a glance

WEIGHT LIMITS ::

Box up to 20 kg, drum up to 250 kg—based on safe handling limits for storage and transport.

DRY & OIL-FREE ::

Residual oil and metalworking fluids interfere with both the zinc process and the chemical recycling process, and can affect the material evaluation.

MATERIAL SEPARATION ::

Keeping material grades separated facilitates classification and has a positive impact on the purchase price.

PALLETISING ::

No overhanging loads. Secure with straps and stretch film. Labels must be clearly visible on the top and sides.

Recycling processes in detail

In the carbide industry, two established processes are used to recover reusable tungsten carbide powder from recycled carbide:

ZINC PROCESS:
The carbide scrap is heated together with metallic zinc in a vacuum furnace to approximately 650–900 °C. The molten zinc reacts with the cobalt binder phase, forming a zinc-cobalt alloy. This causes the structure to break apart from within without chemically altering the tungsten carbide (WC) grains. After the zinc has been removed by vacuum distillation, a porous material remains, which is milled into powder. As the original crystal structure of the WC grains is preserved, the recycled powder achieves a quality very similar to that of virgin material and can be used directly for the sintering of new carbide products. This process is particularly suitable for carbide scrap with a lower cobalt content.

ELECTROLYTIC RECYCLING:
The cobalt binder phase is dissolved electrolytically in an acidic solution, forming cobalt chloride. The cobalt is recovered as a separate by-product, while the tungsten carbide settles as anode sludge. The anode sludge is subsequently washed, milled and sieved to produce high-purity WC powder. This process is particularly suitable for carbide scrap with a higher cobalt content (typically above 10%) and for mixed scrap fractions.

Circularity of carbide—the 4r principle

1 »
Reduce
Increase service life
(grades, geometry,
coating)

2 »
Reuse
Keep components
in productive use
for as long as possible

3 »
Refurbish
Regrinding, polishing,
coating renewal

4 »
Recycle
Return components that
can no longer be refurbished
to the raw material cycle

Sustainability & certifications

A measurable contribution to the circular economy

UP TO 75% PRIMARY ENERGY SAVINGS compared with producing tungsten from ore. Mining, the chemical processing into ammonium paratungstate (APT) and the carburisation to produce tungsten carbide are energy-intensive process steps that are eliminated through recycling.

AROUND 40% LOWER CO₂ EMISSIONS compared with primary production.

ISO 9001—Quality Management, ensuring consistent processes from material acceptance through to payment.

ISO 14001—Environmental Management, demonstrating the responsible use of resources and the reduction of environmental impacts.

ISO 50001—Energy Management, driving the continuous optimisation of energy consumption throughout our processes.

DURIT Carbide Recycling offering

Request a quotation

Recycling contact

Contact
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DURIT FAQ-Recycling

Faq—at a glance

What is carbide scrap?
Carbide scrap consists of worn or no longer productive tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) tools and components, such as drills, end mills, indexable inserts, punches or wear parts that can no longer be refurbished economically.

 

How is the purchase price determined?
The purchase price is based on current market conditions and depends on the material grade and purity. It is calculated using the current market prices for tungsten (or APT) and cobalt.

 

Is an instant price indication available?
Yes. An initial price indication can be provided online based on the material grade, quantity and, optionally, a photo. The final binding purchase price is determined after receipt of the material and laboratory analysis.

 

Payment or account credit?
Both options are available – the choice is yours.

 

Do you accept soft scraps (sludge/powder)?
Yes, subject to individual assessment. Soft scraps must be supplied in suitable, tightly sealed packaging and kept separate from solid carbide scrap.

what containers and weight limits apply?
Boxes up to 20 kg and drums up to 250 kg. The material must be dry and oil-free.

 

can indexable inserts and solid carbide round tools be mixed?
Yes. This is permitted. Soft scraps are excluded and must be packaged separately.

 

which materials are excluded?
High-speed steel (HSS) is not carbide in the metallurgical sense and is therefore neither accepted nor purchased as carbide scrap. (See the section "What We Do Not Accept" above for details.)

 

which recycling processes are used?
The industry-standard processes are the thermal zinc process and chemical or electrolytic recycling. The process selected depends on the cobalt content and the alloy composition of the material.

 

why is carbide recycling economically beneficial?
Because tungsten carbide can be recovered with virtually no loss of quality, while tungsten is classified as a critical and scarce raw material. Recycling generates additional revenue from material that would otherwise be considered spent and reduces dependence on volatile raw material markets.