US to ban exports of tungsten scrap and recycled battery materials

Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that the United States plans to impose a ban on exports of tungsten scrap and recycled battery materials starting later this month. The move comes less than a week after President Donald Trump granted authorities the power to retain materials deemed vital within the country.

According to a rule published in the Federal Register, suppliers of tungsten waste and black mass—a substance produced from shredding spent lithium-ion batteries—will be required to sell these materials within the US market, though applications for exemptions will be allowed. The restriction will remain in effect for one year.

Last week, President Donald Trump signed a measure enabling authorities to restrict exports of industrial waste containing critical minerals and materials. The action, based on the Cold War-era Defense Production Act, aims to strengthen domestic supplies and reduce reliance on China.

The US Department of Commerce stated in the Federal Register: “The President has determined that the shortfall in supply of critical minerals and materials poses an increasing threat to defense and national security, and that immediate action is necessary to secure recoverable supplies of these materials.”

Tungsten is a hard metal used in a range of applications, from military armor and ammunition to precision tools in automotive manufacturing. It is among the metals subject to export restrictions imposed by China.

Black mass, produced from recycling lithium-ion batteries, is an increasingly important source of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other essential materials.