Mamer (Luxembourg), 19.05.2026 — The Plansee Group has announced that Plansee US Holding Corp. and Manhattan Five Partners LLC have entered into a definitive collaboration framework agreement outlining the formation of a joint venture to establish a strategic tungsten oxide stockpile in the United States.
For the CERATIZIT Group, this is a highly positive strategic milestone: it reinforces our long term positioning on supply chain security — resilient by design, recycling-driven, and anchored in an integrated value chain. It also strengthens the Western processing base that underpins our promise to customers: stability and reliability in an environment shaped by volatility and increasing traceability requirements.
The initiative is designed to ensure a secure supply of tungsten in the United States and reduce reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals. It combines Plansee’s industrial and technological leadership in tungsten oxide processing with Manhattan Five’s expertise in structuring, financing, and managing large-scale infrastructure and strategic asset platforms.
As part of the initiative, Plansee intends to expand production capacity for tungsten oxide at its U.S. facility in Towanda, Pennsylvania — Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP), a division of the CERATIZIT Group — to approximately 12,000 tons per year within a short timeframe. Initial deliveries are expected to start in 2026.
A significant portion of production will support a strategic tungsten oxide reserve intended to serve government, defense, and critical industry demand. Under the joint venture structure, Manhattan Five will oversee warehousing, logistics infrastructure, and long-term asset management, while Plansee will lead production expansion and supply.
Integration and control across the value chain
CERATIZIT’s supply security is built on a fully integrated tungsten value chain as part of the Plansee Group — from tungsten powder to finished tools — creating control over crucial steps and reducing exposure to short-term market fluctuations.
Within CERATIZIT, the GTP division plays a central role in this model. As our raw materials and powder division, GTP strengthens processing, recycling and traceability capabilities that support long-term stability for customers across key industrial sectors.
Recycling-driven supply as a strategic stability factor
CERATIZIT operates a recycling-driven supply chain with a ~90% tungsten recycling rate (FY 2024/25). This circular approach reduces dependence on primary raw materials and lowers the carbon footprint while strengthening long-term supply resilience.
Responsible sourcing and transparent standards
CERATIZIT ensures raw materials are sourced responsibly and transparently through RMI conformant smelters and a strict Supplier Code of Conduct. This supports compliance and traceability expectations in customer supply chains.
What this means for CERATIZIT customers
For customers, the value is clear:
- Stronger Western processing base supporting long-term stability and planning reliability
- Resilience enabled by an integrated value chain and control of crucial steps
- Recycling-driven supply security supported by a ~90% tungsten recycling rate (FY 2024/25)
- Responsible sourcing and transparent standards through RMI-conformant smelters and a strict Supplier Code of Conduct
