Inserts:

00:03 Report | Karl Harenbrock
00:22 Karlheinz Wex | CEO Plansee Group
01:46 Matthias Bornhäuser | Head of Logistics at the Plansee Group
02:23 Richard Greisel | Managing Director of Ceratizit
02:52 Karlheinz Wex | CEO Plansee Group

Script:

0.00
Tungsten is extracted from this black powder. It's unique properties make it crucial for several industries...

0.06
...including data centers. That's because Tungsten is extremely hard and heat resistant and doesn't wear out quickly.

0.13
The metal is also used in the defense industry.

0.20
+++SOT Karlheinz Wex, CEO Plansee Group+++
"Defense is becoming dramatically more important. And that is one of the reasons why China is severely restricting tungsten exports. They argue that tungsten could potentially be used for defense applications."
 
0.34
Karlheinz Wex's company is one of the world's leading tungsten processors. The fact that China, the world's largest producer, has imposed export controls doesn't bother him. Plansee can manufacture its products independently from China.

0.50  
The Austria-based company collects tungsten scrap from across Europe and recycles it. 

0:57 Long-term supply contracts with a mine in South Korea provide additional supply security. 

1:06 The technical processes at the recycling plant remain a closely guarded secret as Plansee protects its unique expertise in the field.
   
1.14
Plansee also manufactures in Germany. Open borders within the EU make for seamless cooperation. The group specializes not only in recycling but also in manufacturing a variety of products from the material. The German warehouse is under tight security. Ever since China imposed export restrictions for tungsten, prices have skyrocketed. Suddenly, the goods stored here are worth millions of Euros.

1.40
Even this small rod is worth more than it looks:

1.46
+++SOT Matthias Bornhäuser, Head of Logistics at the Plansee Group+++
"I’d say that weighs about three kilos, and at current rates this rod is worth about 1,200 Euros."

1:55
A key focus of production is the manufacturing of tools used for drilling, milling, and machining by both mechanical engineering firms and skilled tradespeople.

2:08
This production area requires a particularly high level of confidentiality. It's where tools are made for the production of civil and military aircraft.

2:22
+++SOT Richard Greisel, Managing Director of Ceratizit+++
"In the aerospace industry, these tools are used to drill aircraft fuselages. It takes know-how and experience to manufacture these items."

2:35
Without these tools, many factories would grind to a halt. Having its own reliable supply chain - independent of China - is crucial for the company. Yet, scrap containing tungsten is still being exported to China.

2:50
+++SOT Karlheinz Wex, CEO of the Plansee Group+++
"Looking at the supply for the European market, every gram of tungsten counts. That means scrap generated here in Europe really needs to stay in Europe."

3:06
Tungsten is on the EU’s list of critical raw materials, and the global battle for it is intensifying. Europe needs a sustainable strategy to hold its own against China. Otherwise, it could be facing another dependency.