Carbide Tool Prices Revised for Orders from Oct 1: Inserts +25% or More, Solid Drills and End Mills “−25% to +10%” (Some Go Down)
Inserts go up, but solid tools can go down. Get fresh quotes for each diameter!
Sumitomo Electric Industries has revised the prices of its hard metal business products, including carbide tools, for orders received on or after Oct 1, 2026.[1]. Carbide inserts rise +25% or more. Meanwhile, solid drills, end mills and carbide holders change by −25% to +10% depending on tool diameter, and exchangeable-tip drill heads by −20% to 0%, so some items get cheaper in this revision[1]. The company also revised prices for orders from June 1, so this is the second revision this year[2].
- Covers orders received on or after Oct 1. Announced Aug 7[1]
- Carbide inserts +25% or more, steel tools (holders, cutters, parts) +10% or more, cermet inserts and SUMIBORON / SUMIDIA tools +5% or more[1]
- Solid drills, end mills and carbide holders: −25–+10% (depending on tool diameter). These items were “+60% or more” in the June revision[1][2]
- The reason given: raw material tungsten stays at a high level due to “difficulty in obtaining supply because of export controls in major producing countries”[1]
Revision rates for orders from Oct 1
Revision rates per product as stated in the announcement. Bars show the range of the rate; an arrow pointing right means “or more.” For products not listed and for details, customers are told to inquire individually[1].
Compared with the June revision
Here is the revision for orders from June 1 of the same year, lined up item by item. Inserts now rise by more, while solid tools go the other way (down).[2][1].
| Product category | Orders from Jun 1 | Orders from Oct 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbide inserts | +13% or more (excl. cermet) | +25% or more (incl. carbide parts) |
| Cermet inserts | — (not covered) | +5% or more |
| Solid drills and end mills | +60% or more | −25–+10% (incl. carbide holders; depends on tool diameter) |
| Exchangeable-tip drill heads | — (not stated) | −20% to 0% (depends on tool diameter) |
| SUMIBORON / SUMIDIA tools (all) | +5% or more | +5% or more (binderless and coated products priced individually) |
| Brazed tools | +20% or more | — (no separate mention) |
| SUMICRYSTAL and SUMIDIA WD materials | +15% / +25% or more | — (no separate mention) |
| Other carbide materials & tools | — | 0–+15% |
| Steel tools (holders, cutters, parts) | — | +10% or more |
| Alloy materials, die wear-resistant products, solid rotary tools over 12 mm dia., etc. | Changed from stock items to special (custom) products | Special (custom) products continue to be quoted case by case |
Background: raw material tungsten
The main raw material of carbide tools is tungsten (tungsten carbide). The announcement cites tungsten prices staying high because of “difficulty in obtaining supply due to export controls in major producing countries,” and an expected “prolonged market surge beyond expectations”[1].
- China’s export controls on Japan: On Jan 6, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued Announcement No. 1 of 2026, banning exports of dual-use (military and civilian) items to Japan where they are judged to strengthen Japan’s military capabilities, effective immediately. Tungsten is named among the minerals most affected[3].
- Prices peaked in March, then fell: According to trade press, the price of Chinese tungsten concentrate (wolframite, 65%+) fell about 58%, from 1,050,500 yuan per standard tonne on Mar 16 to 445,500 yuan on May 19. The reason given is weak downstream demand, such as carbide and machining[4].
The announcement does not explain why insert increases grew and solid tools moved downward even as the market fell[1]. The surest way to learn the circumstances of each item is to ask your supplier or distributor.
What shops and buyers can do
- Check the “orders received” date: The revision starts with orders received on or after Oct 1[1]. Unit prices may differ between orders placed in September and in October, so review your quote validity periods and order dates.
- Solid tools are worth requoting: Depending on tool diameter, this revision includes price cuts[1]. If you switched to indexable tools after the June increase, compare again for each diameter.
- Think in cost per corner for inserts: The higher the insert price, the more it pays to lower cutting speed slightly to extend tool life. How to Extend Tool Life (Taylor’s Tool Life Equation Calculator) lets you try out the relationship between speed and tooling cost.
- Reduce chipping and abnormal wear: Inserts thrown away from chipping before the end of their life take the full hit of a price rise. Causes and fixes by type of damage are collected in the Machining Troubleshooting Encyclopedia.
Sources
- Sumitomo Electric Industries, “Notice of Price Revision for Hard Metal Business Products” (news release, 2026-08-07, for orders received on or after Oct 1, 2026)
- Sumitomo Electric Industries, “Notice of Price Revision for Hard Metal Business Products” (news release, 2026-04-20, for orders received on or after Jun 1, 2026)
- Greenberg Traurig, LLP, “China Tightens Export Controls on Dual-Use Items to Japan” (2026-02-13, commentary on MOFCOM Announcement No. 1 of 2026)
- SMM (Shanghai Metals Market), “Tungsten Prices Halve from Their Peak” (trade press report, 2026-05-20)
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