China’s tungsten market started August in a sideways stalemate. Concentrates, APT, tungsten powder, WC powder and ferrotungsten were quoted cautiously as spot trading stayed focused on immediate demand.
China’s tungsten market began August with a cautious sideways tone. According to Chinatungsten Online, spot trading remained limited by a supply-demand standoff, weak liquidity and risk-averse buying. Most transactions were still tied to immediate production needs rather than broad restocking.
Market overview: sideways prices and cautious spot demand
Tungsten concentrate negotiations stayed quiet, with WO3 >= 55% concentrate around RMB 410,000/ton. Sellers were reluctant to move aggressively lower, while buyers waited for clearer signals from industry forecasts and major long-term contract prices.
APT held near RMB 600,000/ton. Cost support was still present, but weak downstream demand limited both transaction volume and upward pricing momentum. Powder demand also showed off-season characteristics, with tungsten powder around RMB 975/kg and tungsten carbide powder around RMB 925/kg.
Cobalt powder and ferrotungsten add to the cautious tone
Cobalt powder remained under pressure from slower demand in ternary batteries and cemented carbide. Chinatungsten Online reported cobalt powder around RMB 465/kg after a decline of about 20% since the second half of April.
The domestic 70% ferrotungsten market also consolidated sideways around RMB 660,000/ton. In tungsten scrap and recycling, buyers and sellers continued to hold different price expectations, keeping deal flow limited.
Price table — August 3, 2026 (Chinatungsten Online)
The following table summarizes the tungsten and cobalt price references reported by Chinatungsten Online as of August 3, 2026. International equivalent RMB values follow the source text.
| Produkt | Preis | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Tungsten concentrate (WO3 >= 55%) | RMB 410,000/ton | Sideways |
| Ammonium paratungstate (APT) | RMB 600,000/ton | Sideways |
| Tungsten powder | RMB 975/kg | Off-season demand |
| Tungsten carbide powder | RMB 925/kg | Off-season demand |
| Cobalt powder | RMB 465/kg | Down about 20% since late April |
| 70% ferrotungsten | RMB 660,000/ton | Sideways consolidation |
| European APT | USD 3,000–3,279/mtu (≈ RMB 1,792,000–1,959,000)/ton (equiv.) | +241.3% YTD |
| European ferrotungsten | USD 180–195/kg W (≈ RMB 850,000–921,000)/ton (equiv.) | −42.3% from peak |
Quelle: Chinatungsten Online · YTD = Veränderung seit 1. Jan. 2026 · WoW = Woche zu Woche
What this means for carbide tool buyers
- WC powder around RMB 925/kg keeps carbide rod and tool cost assumptions sensitive even without a clear spot-market breakout.
- Lower cobalt powder can ease pressure for some cemented carbide grades, but weak demand also signals cautious downstream production.
- A sideways APT market may shorten quote validity because suppliers are waiting for major enterprise contract prices.
- European APT remains far above domestic China references, so export buyers should separate domestic raw-material news from regional landed-cost assumptions.
- For repeat carbide drills and end mills, confirm whether current quotes are based on powder inventory, replacement cost or new spot purchases.
Procurement note
Use the August sideways window to refresh tool cost assumptions and lock urgent repeat sizes only where production demand is clear. For custom tools, quote requests should include drawings, material grade, coating, diameter list and annual quantity so the factory can calculate against current carbide rod and powder costs.
Carbide tools from our Changzhou factory
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Standard carbide drills for steel, stainless steel, cast iron and general precision holemaking.
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Carbide ball end mills for mold, die, 3D contour and finishing applications.
Corner-radius carbide end mills for stronger cutting edges and stable semi-finishing or finishing.
Outlook
Without stronger downstream restocking or clearer long-term contract guidance, the tungsten market may continue to trade sideways in the near term. Liquidity is likely to remain tight, with buyers favoring immediate-need orders and suppliers watching powder, APT and scrap signals closely.
Solid Carbide Direct will continue tracking tungsten concentrate, APT, tungsten powder, tungsten carbide powder, cobalt powder, ferrotungsten and tungsten scrap indicators to help machining buyers plan raw-material-sensitive tooling budgets.
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