Sandvik Coromant, a leader in metal-cutting and machining solutions, is enhancing its commitment to sustainability by collaborating with Thailand’s automotive parts manufacturer Dana Spicer and a prominent oil and gas company in Singapore. Through its revamped tool recycling program, the company aims to simplify the recycling of worn carbide tools while advancing circular manufacturing practices in Southeast Asia.
Building on its decades-long buyback initiative, Sandvik Coromant’s updated program enables customers to recycle used tools more efficiently. Customers can sell worn carbide tools, which are then processed to recover raw materials like tungsten and cobalt. These materials are purified and reused to create new cutting tools, completing a closed-loop manufacturing cycle.
The recycling program, upgraded in late 2023, incorporates a user-friendly online platform. Customers can access instant price quotes, schedule tool pick-ups, and track their environmental contributions, including carbon emissions saved through recycling. By integrating logistics partners and offering pre-arranged containers, Sandvik Coromant ensures the process is seamless.
Manny Valenza, Southeast Asia Sales Cluster Manager at Sandvik Coromant, highlights the dual benefits of the initiative: “Our enhanced program supports customers in achieving sustainability goals while providing economic value for recycled tools. For instance, 95% of a used carbide insert can be repurposed.”
In Thailand, Dana Spicer has partnered with Sandvik Coromant to lower its environmental impact, while in Singapore, a major oil and gas company has also embraced the program. Recycled carbide is sent to Sandvik Coromant’s facility in Austria to be repurposed into new tools, reducing the demand for virgin raw materials.
Participants in the program not only reduce waste but also receive financial incentives and sustainability certificates, underscoring their commitment to greener practices. Sandvik Coromant’s initiative aligns with its broader mission of fostering sustainable manufacturing. By recovering critical materials and reducing carbon footprints, the company is helping the engineering sector adopt more responsible production methods.
Valenza concludes, “We are proud to collaborate with our customers and partners in building a circular economy. This program highlights the tangible benefits of recycling—for the planet and profitability alike.”
As part of the global Sandvik Group, Sandvik Coromant has over 80 years of expertise in machining and engineering. It remains at the forefront of innovation, promoting sustainable solutions to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
