If you keep an eye on secondary metals, you’ve probably heard the buzz coming out of Washington this week. We want to clear the air about what it means for us here at Research Alloys—and why we’re temporarily halting all purchases of tungsten carbide for the foreseeable future.
The New Export Rule That Changed the Game
Here’s the short version: On August 5, 2026, the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) alerted the industry to a major new rule from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)]. Issued under the Defense Production Act, this Temporary Final Rule places a mandatory 100% domestic sales requirement on tungsten waste and scrap (Schedule B code 8101.97.00.00) starting August 27.
In plain English? U.S. companies can no longer export tungsten scrap without special BIS approval. The federal government's goal is to keep strategic critical minerals inside the country, but the immediate impact on trade flows has been massive.
What This Means for the Market (and Research Alloys)
As a trader, our business model at Research Alloys is straightforward: we purchase tungsten carbide from suppliers and sell it to larger consumers. But overnight, this regulation closed off the export valve for domestic scrap.
Without the ability to ship material overseas, the U.S. market has become completely inundated. With supply piling up quickly and domestic buyers overwhelmed, market prices have effectively collapsed. Buying additional inventory in an already flooded market simply doesn't make commercial sense right now.
Looking Ahead
While we’re pausing new purchases, we aren't going anywhere. We’re closely tracking how ReMA's upcoming discussions with BIS play out and waiting for the domestic market to establish a stable equilibrium. If and when there’s a change, you’ll be sure to read about it here!