2026 Cemented Carbide (Cemented Carbide) Material Price Trend Forecast
As we enter 2026, the global manufacturing and materials markets anticipate that cemented carbide (CLC) material prices will remain high and structurally tight, influenced by factors such as continued supply constraints, strong downstream demand, strategic resource dynamics, and evolving industrial applications. As a producer of cemented carbide materials and finished products, we estimate that high prices may persist into the first half of 2026.
One of the core drivers of rising cemented carbide prices is the significant increase in upstream tungsten and tungsten carbide powder costs, which saw a marked increase in 2025. According to recent price trend reports, tungsten powder and tungsten carbide powder prices surged in 2025, with tungsten carbide powder prices reaching historical highs, which are expected to continue until the end of the year.
Impact of Supply Constraints and Strategic Raw Materials
China continues to dominate the global tungsten supply chain, both in ore production and refining intermediates such as ammonium paratungstate (APT). Tungsten supply remains constrained relative to downstream industrial demand due to strict upstream resource quotas and a continuous decline in ore grades over recent decades.
Broader commodity market dynamics further exacerbate the supply shortage—strict mining production quotas and environmental policies limit new capacity additions, leading to cost shifts upstream, ultimately affecting tungsten carbide producers.
Demand Side: Growth in Manufacturing, Defense, and High-Tech Industries
Demand for cemented carbide materials continues to be driven by several industrial end markets:
The machining and cutting tooling industries are increasingly reliant on cemented carbide for high-precision cutting tools, with applications expanding as CNC machine tools become more widespread and manufacturing processes upgrade.
The aerospace, defense, and energy sectors are driving demand for high-performance materials with superior wear resistance, particularly in drilling, cutting, and strategic component manufacturing.
Emerging technologies, including advanced composites, electric vehicle manufacturing, and high-temperature applications such as fusion energy research, are providing new growth momentum for cemented carbide materials.
Even during periods of economic uncertainty, strong industrial demand typically supports higher commodity prices.
Recycling and Secondary Supply as Regulatory Factors
A key structural trend influencing price movements is the advancement of tungsten recycling technology. Industry forecasts indicate that the share of recycled tungsten in the global supply base will continue to increase, potentially approaching a quarter of total consumption by 2030.
Meetyou Carbide
While recycled supply alone may not be sufficient to fully offset the tight supply situation in primary tungsten production, enhanced secondary supply could play a regulatory role in price volatility in 2026 if recycling technology further scales up.
2026 Price Trend Outlook – Key Takeaways
From the perspective of the Chinese tungsten industry and broader market indicators, the 2026 cemented carbide price outlook can be summarized as follows:
Price Trends
High Price Floor: Tungsten carbide prices are likely to remain significantly higher than 2024 levels throughout 2026.
Tight Upstream Supply: Strategic controls and resource constraints continue to support material costs.
Demand Drivers
Continued Growth in High-Precision Manufacturing
Defense and Aerospace Material Demand
New Applications in Renewable Energy and Advanced Composite Materials
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