What JAPAN NEW METALS does

Japan New Metals Co., Ltd. (日本新金属株式会社) is a Japanese specialty materials manufacturer founded in 1963 as a joint venture between Mitsubishi Metal Mining (now Mitsubishi Materials Corporation) and Awamura Mining, and operating today as a privately held subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Materials Group. The company is the only integrated producer in Japan of tungsten and tungsten carbide powder, running a complete wet metallurgical refining chain from tungsten ore and scrap through to finished powders, and is also Japan's largest manufacturer of tungsten carbide powder. Its product portfolio spans tungsten powders (multiple grades from 0.45 μm to 40 μm and granular forms), tungsten carbide powders (standard, fine, and ultra-fine BET-controlled grades), molybdenum powders, and an extensive range of advanced ceramic powders including carbides (Mo2C, TaC, TiC, ZrC, NbC, VC), nitrides, borides, silicides, high-purity 4N/5N tungsten for semiconductor sputtering targets, tungsten oxides, ammonium salts, and heteropoly acids used as catalysts. Underlying technology is built on proprietary wet metallurgical refining, micron-level particle size control from nano to ultra-coarse, cleanroom production for 5N-purity products, and a tungsten scrap recycling operation (active since 2001) that handles difficult waste streams such as oil-containing sludge.

The company serves industrial B2B customers across five primary verticals: cemented carbide cutting and wear-resistant tools (primary), electronics and semiconductor manufacturing (primary, for sputtering targets, IC substrates, and electrodes), chemical catalyst production, medical devices, and energy/battery materials. It sells through an enterprise field sales motion, with direct engagement of customer procurement, manufacturing, and technical teams supported by needs-discovery and problem-solving proposals, quote-based pricing, and participation in industry conferences such as TOCAT7 and the PM2014 World Congress. Distribution is handled directly by a sales division, with manufacturing split between the Toyonaka (Osaka) headquarters and the Akita Plant (established 1997, holding 40% of total equipment capacity). The company maintains Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) certification (renewed January 2025) and Conflict-Free Smelter Program (CFSP) certification, and was recognized with the 2017 Rare Metal Recycling Award for its scrap processing technology. As of January 2026 it employs 261 people with an average tenure of 16.3 years.

Name

JAPAN NEW METALS

Legal name

日本新金属株式会社

Website

https://jnm.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Japan New Metals is a Mitsubishi Materials Group subsidiary and Japan's only integrated producer of tungsten and tungsten carbide powder, manufacturing metal and ceramic powders (tungsten, molybdenum, carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides) for cemented carbide tools, semiconductors, catalysts, medical devices, and battery applications through a B2B enterprise sales model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Metal Powders

NAICS

Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) (331492), Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing (3314)

SIC

Secondary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3341), Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Non-Ferrous Scrap Processing & Brokerage (Aluminum, Copper, Brass/Bronze, Lead, Zinc, Nickel) (IMAKAMAB)

Keywords

• Tungsten powder manufacturing
• Tungsten carbide powder
• Molybdenum metal powders
• Rare metal refining
• Cemented carbide materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Toyonaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Metal Powder Sales: B2B manufacturing and direct sales of tungsten powder, tungsten carbide powder, molybdenum powder, and various advanced ceramic powders to industrial manufacturers.
2. Fine Chemical Materials: Production and sale of fine chemical materials including ammonium salts, heteropoly acids, and oxides for catalyst, electronics, and chemical industry applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

JAPAN NEW METALS manufactures and sells tungsten powder, tungsten carbide powder, molybdenum powder, and a broad range of advanced ceramic powders (carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides, oxides, ammonium salts, heteropoly acids) to industrial manufacturers. The company operates the only integrated production system in Japan from tungsten ore and scrap through wet metallurgical refining to finished tungsten carbide powder, and provides tungsten scrap recycling services for difficult-to-process materials.

Product overview

JAPAN NEW METALS is a leading rare metal powder manufacturer and the only company in Japan with integrated production from tungsten ore and scrap to tungsten carbide. The company operates as a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Materials and produces a comprehensive portfolio of metal powder products including: tungsten powders (W-H through W-G grades), tungsten carbide powders (WC-10 through WC-FX), molybdenum powders (Mo-3 series), and various advanced ceramic powders including carbides (Mo2C, TaC, TiC, ZrC, NbC, VC), nitrides (TiN, TiC-TiN, ZrN), borides (TiB2, ZrB2, CrB, CrB2, MoB, WB, LaB6), silicides (TiSi2, CrSi2, MoSi2, WSi2), high-purity products (W-4N, W-5N, WO3-4N), tungsten oxides (WO3-1, WO3-4, WO3-5), ammonium salts (APW-80, AMT), and heteropoly acids (PW12, SiW12, PMo12, NaPMo12). The company also provides tungsten recycling services, converting scrap tungsten into high-quality tungsten powders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tungsten Powder (タングステン粉) High-purity tungsten powder portfolio including standard grades (W-H through W-6), uniform particle grades (W-1K through W-3K), single particle grades (W-1KD through W-4KD), coarse grades (W-L, W-S), and granular tungsten metal (500-1,500 μm). Particle sizes range from 0.45 μm to 16.0 μm. Used for cemented carbide tools, medical equipment, radiation shielding, IC substrate metallization, and combustion catalysts.
• Tungsten Carbide Powder (タングステンカーバイド粉) Japan's largest production volume tungsten carbide (WC) powder with grades WC-10 through WC-90 (0.70-12.0 μm) and ultra-fine grade WC-FX (BET surface area 3.00-3.50 m²/g). Optional Cr, V, or Cr+V additives available. Essential raw material for cemented carbide tools and wear-resistant tools due to high-temperature hardness properties.
• Molybdenum Powder (モリブデン粉) High-purity molybdenum powder (≥99.9%, 3N purity) in standard Mo-3 (2.00-3.99 μm), uniform particle Mo-3K (2.00-2.99 μm), and single particle Mo-1KD/Mo-3KD grades. Used for ceramics metallization, LCD wiring materials, and specialty steel raw materials.
• Various Carbide Powders (Mo2C, TaC, TiC, ZrC, NbC, VC, Double Carbide, Triple Carbide) Comprehensive carbide powder portfolio including Molybdenum Carbide (Mo2C), Tantalum Carbide (TaC, 1.00-4.00 μm), Titanium Carbide (TiC, ≥19.20% carbon), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC coarse and fine grades), Niobium Carbide (NbC, ≥11.00% carbon), Vanadium Carbide (VC, ≥16.30% carbon), Double Carbide (WC-TiC 50/50 and 70/30), and Triple Carbide (WC-TiC-TaC 50/30/20). Used as main ingredients and property-improvement additives in cemented carbides, cermet cutting tools, PVD coating targets, and heat-insulating materials.
• Nitride Powders (TiN, TiC-TiN Carbonitride, ZrN) Titanium Nitride (TiN) powder essential for TiC-based cermet cutting tool improvement; Titanium Carbonitride (TiC-TiN) powders in ratios 30/70, 50/50, 70/30, and 055 for cermet cutting tools and cemented carbide additives; Zirconium Nitride (ZrN, 1.00-2.00 μm) for PVD coating targets and conductivity additives in oxide/nitride ceramics.
• Boride Powders (TiB2, ZrB2, CrB/CrB2, MoB, WB, LaB6) Titanium Boride (TiB2) for ultra-hard, corrosion-resistant, and evaporation boat applications; Zirconium Boride (ZrB2) for heat-resistant ceramics and fire-proof materials; Chromium Boride (CrB, CrB2) for fire-proof longevity and heat-resistant coatings; Molybdenum Boride (MoB) for iron/nickel boride cermet materials; Tungsten Boride (WB) for advanced boride cermets; Lanthanum Boride (LaB6) for cathode materials and heat ray shielding.
• Silicide Powders (TiSi2, CrSi2, MoSi2, WSi2) Titanium Silicide (TiSi2) for oxidation-resistant low-pressure plasma spray coatings; Chromium Silicide (CrSi2) for oxidation-resistant surface treatment; Molybdenum Silicide (MoSi2) for ceramic heater heating elements maintaining oxidation resistance at 1,700°C and PVD targets for semiconductors; Tungsten Silicide (WSi2) high-purity grade for semiconductor PVD targets.
• High Purity Tungsten Products (W-4N, W-5N, WO3-4N) Ultra-high purity tungsten powder (99.99-99.999%, 4N-5N) and high-purity tungsten oxide WO3-4N grade (≤10ppm impurities) produced in cleanroom conditions. Used for semiconductor sputtering targets, IC substrates, and electrode materials.
• Tungsten Oxide Powders (WO3-1, WO3-4, WO3-5 100% Recycled) Tungsten trioxide (WO3-1, WO3-4) with ≥99.90% purity (3N+ grade) for secondary battery additives, optical glass lens additives, scintillators, and photocatalysts; 100% recycled WO3-5 (≥99.95% purity) from MMC group's recycled metal materials program.
• Ammonium Salts (Ammonium Para Tungstate APW-80, Ammonium Meta Tungstate AMT Solution) Ammonium Para Tungstate (APW-80 grade) powder with 88-90% WO3 content used as intermediate product in tungsten production; Ammonium Meta Tungstate (AMT) solution with 49.5-50.5% WO3 content and density 1.780-1.820 at 20°C used for desulfurization and denitration catalysts.
• Heteropoly Acids (Phospho Tungstic, Silico Tungstic, Phospho Molybdic, Sodium Phospho Molybdate) Keggin-structured heteropoly acids: Phospho Tungstic Acid H3[PW12O40]·nH2O (PW12, ≥80% WO3); Silico Tungstic Acid H4[SiW12O40]·nH2O (SiW12, ≥79% WO3); Phospho Molybdic Acid H3[PMo12O40]·nH2O (PMo12, ≥72% MoO3); Sodium Phospho Molybdate Na3[PMo12O40]·nH2O (≥71% MoO3, 2.00-3.50% sodium). Strong solid acid and oxidation catalysts for esterification, etherification, dehydration, and methacrylic acid synthesis.
• Tungsten Scrap Recycling Services Recycling service for tungsten-containing scrap including difficult-to-process materials such as oil-containing sludge and large scrap pieces, using oxidation roasting, autoclave treatment, chemical processing, and ion exchange purification. Operated from the Akita Plant recycling business established in 2001, converting scrap into high-quality tungsten powders.
• High-Crystallinity Tungsten Oxide for Next-Generation Batteries Developed high-crystallinity tungsten oxide material for secondary battery negative electrodes (anode materials). Targeted for next-generation battery applications including EV batteries and advanced energy storage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Production capacity increased approximately 20% following 2013 Akita Plant expansion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• 三菱マテリアル株式会社 (Mitsubishi Materials Corporation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 1963Parent company and founding partner established through joint equity investment in 1963. Mitsubishi Materials is a major diversified materials company (mining origin, 1871 founding) providing operational stability, capital, and strategic direction. Japan New Metals operates as part of Mitsubishi Materials Group with shared corporate philosophy 'For People, Society and the Earth' (人と社会と地球のために).
• 三菱マテリアルトレーディング株式会社 (Mitsubishi Materials Trading Corp.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 1963Shareholder and trading company within Mitsubishi Materials Group facilitating product distribution and market access for Japan New Metals products.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Mitsubishi Materials Corporation: Parent company of Japan New Metals and one of Japan's largest diversified materials companies with roots in mining (founded 1871). Operates broadly across tungsten, copper, aluminum, and other materials, providing direct comparability on tungsten-related operations while offering wider portfolio context.
• Sandvik AB: Swedish engineering group with major tungsten carbide and cemented carbide operations through Sandvik Machining Solutions. Larger global player with broader end-product portfolio but overlapping tungsten carbide raw material sourcing and production technology.
• Kennametal Inc. US-based tungsten carbide tooling and materials producer with vertically integrated tungsten powder supply. Major global competitor in tungsten carbide for cutting tools and wear-resistant applications with comparable customer base in automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery.

Direct peers

• Nippon Tungsten Co., Ltd. Japanese specialty tungsten products manufacturer producing tungsten carbide, tungsten compounds, and similar metal powders for cutting tools and electronics. A direct domestic competitor with overlapping product portfolio and customer base in Japanese industrial markets.
• A.L.M.T. Corp. Japanese subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries specializing in tungsten and molybdenum products, including cemented carbide and refractory metal powders. Directly comparable on tungsten powder products, customer segments (semiconductors, cutting tools), and Japanese market focus.
• Plansee Group: Austrian refractory metals specialist producing molybdenum, tungsten, and their compounds in powder and fabricated forms. Direct peer in non-ferrous refractory metal powder production for similar semiconductor, lighting, and industrial applications.
• H.C. Starck Tungsten (Mersen): Now part of Mersen, this division produces tungsten and molybdenum metal powders, tungsten carbides, and similar specialty products. Direct competitor in non-ferrous refractory metal powders with comparable technical specifications and end-market exposure.
• Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. US/Austrian tungsten powder producer (formerly Osram Sylvania tungsten division) supplying tungsten metal powders, tungsten carbide, and tungsten oxides. Direct peer in tungsten powder production for similar industrial, electronics, and chemical applications.
• Wolfram Industrie GmbH: Austrian tungsten powder specialist producing tungsten metal powders, tungsten carbide, and heavy metal alloys. Smaller specialty producer comparable to JNM's positioning as a niche tungsten powder manufacturer serving industrial and high-tech applications.

Emerging players

• Xiamen Tungsten Co., Ltd. Major Chinese tungsten materials producer covering tungsten powder, tungsten carbide, and downstream products. Significant scale advantage but serves primarily Chinese and commodity markets; comparable as the dominant non-Japanese tungsten powder competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about JAPAN NEW METALS