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Tungsten Price Surge 2025: Securing Your Supply Chain for CNC Cutting Tools from China
- Calvin Wu
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
A strategic guide for international buyers sourcing carbide end mills amidst a historic raw material crisis.
Introduction: The 2025 Market Shock
If you are looking to buy CNC cutting tools from China in 2025, you have likely already felt the tremors in the market. The global tungsten industry is experiencing a historic upheaval. Prices are not just rising; they are skyrocketing.
As of September 2025, the price of black tungsten concentrate has surged over 92% since the beginning of the year. APT (Ammonium Paratungstate), a critical intermediate product, has seen its price double. This isn't just a blip on a chart; it is a fundamental shift in the cost structure of every tungsten carbide milling cutter produced globally.
For procurement managers and business owners relying on wholesale carbide end mills from China, understanding the drivers behind this surge is crucial to securing your supply chain and protecting your margins.
The Perfect Storm: Why Prices Are Skyrocketing
The 2025 crisis is the result of a severe imbalance between tightening supply and exploding demand.
1. The Supply Squeeze in China China is the dominant global source of tungsten. In 2025, government policy significantly tightened supply. The mining quota was reduced by over 6% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, strict environmental inspections in major production hubs like Jiangxi and Hunan forced many mines to cut production, leading to a rapid depletion of spot inventory.
Simultaneously, domestic resources are facing depletion. The average ore grade has dropped significantly, meaning miners must process far more raw earth to get the same amount of tungsten, pushing extraction costs above 100,000 RMB per ton.
2. The Solar Energy Demand Explosion While supply tightened, a new source of demand exploded: the photovoltaic (solar) industry. The demand for ultra-fine tungsten wire used in solar silicon wafer cutting jumped nearly 200% year-over-year in 2025. This booming新能源 (new energy) sector is now competing directly with traditional industries for the same raw materials used by every cemented carbide tools manufacturer.
Strategic Sourcing: Finding Stability in Chaos
In this volatile market, your sourcing strategy must shift from purely price-driven to stability-driven. Securing a reliable supply of high-quality solid carbide end mills is now a strategic priority.
Here is how savvy B2B buyers should navigate the 2025 market:
Go Direct to the Source: Working with middlemen adds another layer of cost and risk. Prioritize working China milling tools factory direct. Direct communication with the manufacturer gives you better visibility into production schedules and material availability.
Vabldate Manufacturer Strength: Choose an established China end mill manufacturer with the scale and resources to weather market fluctuations. Larger manufacturers often have better access to raw materials and stronger holding power against price shocks.
Focus on Long-Term Partnerships: Spot buying in this market is dangerous. Building a relationship with a trusted supplier ensures you are prioritized when materials are scarce.
Conclusion
The tungsten market dynamics have changed fundamentally. High prices driven by resource scarcity and the green energy boom are likely the new normal.
As a dedicated cemented carbide tools manufacturer, we are committed to navigating these challenges alongside our global partners. We closely monitor upstream raw material trends to provide the most stable supply and competitive pricing possible for premium cutting tools.
Are you concerned about the stability of your cutting tool supply chain in 2025? Contact us today to discuss your needs and secure a reliable source for high-quality CNC tools.
