Japan New Metals to Expand APT and Molybdenum Powder Output

Osaka based rare metals powder maker, Japan New Metals will increase output of ammonium paratungstate (APT) recycled from cemented carbide scrap pumping up the operation to full capacity at annual 500 tonnes. The firm will start new molybdenum powder plant in Hyogo in April 2007 after the construction. APT is intermediate material with 60% tungsten, which is used for cemented carbide. The firm is sole maker of APT in Japan. The Akita plant supplies material to headquarters plant to make tungsten powder. Tungsten price increased to 4 times in 3 years when the demand increases for cemented carbide and the largest producing country of China reduced the tax return of value added tax for the export in 2005. Japanese users expect the better recycling system when the scrap is exported more and the world ore supply is heavily depended on China. Japan New Metals plans to renew existing smelting facilities for expansion after the operation reaches full capacity. The headquarters plant, which produces tungsten powder, plans to secure a third of APT requirement from Akita plant. The firm, which has 30% of market share in molybdenum powder, builds new molybdenum powder plant in Hyogo. The firm starts the test running after the completion of building works in January 2007 for the new plant with around 1,500 square meters of floor space. The new plant is to produce molybdenum powder for wiring of liquid crystal panel. With the new plant, the firm’s molybdenum powder output capacity will double along with existing headquarters plant.