Now classified as the earth's strongest natural metal, tungsten has become a must-have for many industries. Surprisingly, tungsten was not even discovered until the late 1700s, and unlike most other metals, it is believed to have originated through the stress caused when stars explode. This unique formation is the reason for the incredible strength of this material but it also makes the supply less ample and obtainable. Because of this factor, companies that depend on tungsten to manufacture their product must find a way to address this problem in order to keep their supply chain moving forward.
Consider basing orders on longer range numbers
Studies show that that only 1.25 grams of tungsten are able to be obtained from every million grams of the materials that make up the earth's crust. This fact helps to demonstrate the potential issues industries face in meeting their supply needs for this metal. Companies who need to help guarantee a dependable supply will always be available for their manufacturing needs may want to consider basing their orders on longer range usage figures.
If the company has previously only received shipments as needed, moving to a longer range order system may entail creating a dedicated storage area for stockpiling tungsten on site. While erecting and managing this type of stockpiling area will add to the cost of production, it can also result in equal or greater savings because there will be far less manufacturing downtime due to bottlenecks in the tungsten supply chain.
Consider recycling to fulfill part of your company's tungsten requirement
The fact that all forms of tungsten are highly recyclable is good news for the industries that use a lot of this metal. Currently, only a small percentage of scrap tungsten leftover from manufacturing processes is being recycled for other uses, but that number is expected to continue trending upward. Companies that utilize large amounts of tungsten may find that opting to begin recycling the tungsten scraps created by its manufacturing processes to be financially beneficial, as well as helping level out supply problems.
To learn more about the available tungsten supply, or to set up a reliable tungsten delivery schedule to meet the demands of your business, it is important to always partner with a reputable tungsten supplier in your area. These experts will be able to offer valuable insights into the future availability of the type of tungsten you need and help you avoid delays and supply issues that could negatively affect you, your customers, and your employees.
