If you’ve recently requested a quote for American-made Elkonite copper-tungsten materials, you’ve likely noticed significant price increases compared to previous years. This isn’t unique to our company—it’s a global phenomenon driven by unprecedented disruptions in the tungsten supply chain. Here’s what you need to know about Elkonite price increases and what’s causing them.

The Tungsten Supply Crisis of 2025

The copper-tungsten alloys that make up Elkonite products rely heavily on tungsten—a strategic metal with the highest melting point of any element. According to SMM, tungsten powder prices saw a near 150% jump from early 2025 to late 2025, with reports of prices reaching approximately $110/kg. For higher purity grades (UHP, UP), costs have escalated to $200-$400+ per kilogram. These dramatic increases directly impact the cost of manufacturing Elkonite materials used in resistance welding applications.

Why Is This Happening?

China’s Export Controls: China dominates global tungsten production, accounting for over 80% of output. On February 4, 2025, Beijing implemented strict export controls on tungsten and other critical metals, requiring special licenses and end-user documentation. According to the China Tungsten Industry Association, Chinese exports of key tungsten intermediates dropped to near zero in March 2025 as the new dual-use export permit system took effect.

APT Supply Constraints: Ammonium paratungstate (APT)—the key intermediate for producing tungsten products including copper-tungsten composites—has seen record pricing. European APT prices climbed from approximately $320-340/MTU at the beginning of 2025 to $580-650/MTU by September, representing increases of over 85%.

Tariff Impacts: Current tariff charges on imported copper stock to the United States stand at 51%, adding additional cost pressures throughout the supply chain.

Declining Mine Production: According to Project Blue market analysis, China’s mine output is expected to edge lower in 2025, reflecting aging operations and declining ore grades. Vietnam’s Nui Phao mine, one of the world’s largest tungsten operations, reported a 30% production decline in Q2 2025 following environmental audits.

The U.S. Supply Chain Reality

In the United States, Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. (GTP) at its facility in Towanda, Pennsylvania, remains the only major commercial APT producer domestically. GTP has manufactured high-purity APT for over 50 years, with impurity levels below 0.003%. However, GTP relies on imported virgin tungsten ore concentrates and domestic recycled materials—no commercial tungsten mining has occurred in the U.S. since 2015 when the last operations closed due to market pressures and global competition.

Signs of Future Relief

There is some positive news on the horizon. Almonty Industries completed the acquisition of the Gentung-Browns Lake tungsten project in Beaverhead County, Montana in November 2025. According to company announcements, this represents one of the most advanced undeveloped tungsten assets in the United States, with a target for production readiness in the second half of 2026. If developed successfully, it would provide a domestic source of tungsten concentrates and support a more integrated U.S. supply chain.

Additionally, efforts are underway to source APT from alternative suppliers in countries like Vietnam, Bolivia, and Peru to diversify away from Chinese dependence.

What This Means for Your Operations

For manufacturers relying on Elkonite materials for flash welding dies, projection welding electrodes, seam welding inserts, EDM electrodes, and other uses in your production process, we anticipate that the price of copper tungsten will continue to rise for as long as APT supply remains restricted. Industry analysts predict prices will stabilize at elevated levels through 2026 and potentially beyond, with the global supply gap expected to remain around 12%.

We recommend planning ahead and working with your procurement teams to account for these market realities. Our team at Production Engineering remains committed to providing competitive pricing and helping you find the right copper-tungsten alloy for your specific application—whether that’s Elkonite 10W3 for general projection welding, Elkonite 30W3 for high-pressure applications, or TC-grade materials for extreme wear resistance.

Get Your Quote Today

Don’t let supply chain uncertainty catch you off guard. Contact our experts to discuss your Elkonite requirements and secure your materials before prices increase further.