Sandvik Coromant, the metal cutting and machine tools expert, in collaboration with the broader Sandvik Group, is introducing a revamped tool recycling initiative to enhance the repurposing of worn carbide machine tools, simplifying the process for customers and contributing to material circularity in the supply chain. Having actively promoted the recycling of cemented carbide for many years, Sandvik Coromant’s buyback program, initiated following Sandvik‘s acquisition of Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten in 1997, plays a pivotal role in creating a closed loop in manufacturing. Under this program, customers can sell their worn-out tools to Sandvik Coromant, enabling the extraction and reuse of materials in the production of new cutting tools.
The recycled materials undergo chemical purification, ensuring the retrieval of elements with properties similar to the tungsten originally extracted in the Wolfram mine. Additional elements in the cemented carbide, such as cobalt retrieved from used tools, are sustainably managed. The recycling program accepts carbide tools from all manufacturers, fostering a collaborative approach to sustainability.
Building on the success of the existing program, the upgraded recycling initiative introduces a more streamlined and data-driven process for Sandvik Coromant customers. Via an online portal, customers seeking to recycle their tools can receive an instant price quote for the volume they intend to recycle, schedule an order pick-up time, and receive recycling boxes in advance. The portal also provides environmental impact data, showcasing the amount of carbon emissions reduced through the metal recycling efforts. To simplify the logistics of tool transportation, Sandvik Coromant has collaborated with market-specific carriers. Users of the service can order containers, receive an automatic price quote, and book transport with an authorized carrier, ensuring a hassle-free recycling process.
Antonia Dåderman, Program Manager EPMO at Sandvik Coromant, emphasized the significance of sustainability in the initiative, stating, “95% of a used carbide insert can be recycled. Of this carbide, tungsten makes up around 75%. Sustainability is important for Sandvik Coromant and our customers – we provide an opportunity for our customers to contribute to their sustainability targets and sell back used carbide tools in a smooth process. Together with our customers and partners we take responsibility for the environment. “We know for example that estimated reserves of tungsten are around seven million tonnes — or 100 years of consumption. As a result, we must find ways of preserving our supply of this vital ingredient of cemented carbide while keeping its environmental impact to a minimum. With the upgrades to our recycling program, we aim to make customers more aware of the benefits of recycling. They will be able to see how much money they can make from recycling tools, while also gaining insight into the carbon emissions they will reduce by doing so. It is all about highlighting the gains of recycling, for profit and for the planet, in the most effective way possible.”
The upgraded recycling program aims to enhance customer awareness of the benefits of recycling. Customers can understand the financial gains from recycling tools while gaining insights into the carbon emissions reduction achieved through the process. The initiative underscores the dual advantages of recycling—for profit and for the planet. Global pilot schemes for the upgraded recycling program are currently underway, with a comprehensive rollout to all customers anticipated by 2025. Sandvik Coromant’s commitment to circular production through its recycling scheme aligns with its mission to lead the way toward a sustainable future by providing innovative tooling solutions to the world’s engineering industries.
