Building a Strategic Tungsten Oxide Stockpile
Plansee invests in production capacity
Towanda, PA – 4 May 2026 – Plansee US Holding Corp. (“Plansee”), an affiliate of the Plansee Group, and Manhattan Five Partners LLC (“Manhattan Five”) have entered into a definitive collaboration framework agreement outlining the formation of a joint venture to establish a strategic tungsten oxide stockpile in the United States.
This initiative is designed to support U.S. national security objectives, strengthen domestic supply chain resilience, and reduce reliance on foreign adversarial sources for critical minerals. The project is being developed in alignment with U.S. government priorities and is structured to potentially leverage programs administered from the Department of War (DOW), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Commerce (DOC), Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).
The partnership combines Plansee’s industrial and technological leadership in tungsten oxide processing with Manhattan Five’s expertise in structuring, financing, and managing large-scale infrastructure and strategic asset platforms.
As part of the initiative, Plansee intends to expand production capacity for tungsten oxide at its US facility in Towanda, Pennsylvania to approximately 12,000 tons per year within a short timeframe. The stockpile will consist of tungsten oxide derived from recycled tungsten scrap and non-adverse-country concentrates, ensuring alignment with U.S. sourcing, traceability, and supply chain security requirements. Initial deliveries are expected to commence in 2026.
A significant portion of production will support a strategic tungsten oxide reserve intended to serve U.S. government, defense, and critical industry demand. Under the joint venture structure, Manhattan Five will oversee warehousing, logistics infrastructure, and long-term asset management, while Plansee will lead production expansion and supply.
Tungsten is widely recognized as a critical mineral essential to defense systems, aerospace applications, energy infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. Through its Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP) facility in Towanda, Pennsylvania, Plansee already supplies a significant share of U.S. demand. The establishment of a strategic tungsten oxide stockpile represents a meaningful step toward strengthening long-term domestic supply independence.
Quotes
Karlheinz Wex, Plansee US Holding Corp.:
“Tungsten is a critical metal for security, defense, advanced manufacturing, and energy systems. By building a strategic tungsten oxide stockpile in the United States, we are making a significant contribution to national security and long-term supply chain resilience. This partnership allows us to combine Plansee’s technological expertise with a strong U.S.-based infrastructure approach, ensuring reliable and responsible access to this critical material for years to come.”
Jeffrey Srulowitz, Manhattan Five Partners:
“Establishing a domestic tungsten stockpile is a critical step in reinforcing U.S. supply chain independence and national security. We are structuring this platform to align with federal programs and deliver a scalable, secure solution for critical minerals.”
About Plansee US Holding Corp.
Plansee US Holding Corp. is the mother company of all Plansee and Ceratizit entities in the US. Plansee Group specializes in tungsten and molybdenum materials across the full value chain - from raw material processing to customized tools and components.
The product portfolio includes more than 100,000 products used in high-tech devices, mobility, energy supply, and industrial production. With approximately 10,890 employees, the Plansee Group generated €2.25 billion in sales in fiscal year 2024/25.
About Manhattan Five Partners LLC
Manhattan Five Partners is a diversified real estate and infrastructure investment firm with over 50 years of collective experience, specializing in asset-backed investments across real estate, logistics, and critical infrastructure.
The firm focuses on capital formation, project structuring, and long-term asset management, working alongside industrial operators and government stakeholders to deliver strategic infrastructure platforms aligned with U.S. priorities.
Contact
Plansee Group
Eric R. Rowe
Cell: +1 (978) 764-4436
Mail: Eric.Rowe@plansee-group.com
Manhattan Five Partners LLC
Max Srulowitz
Cell: 917 544 9562
Mail: Info@manhattanfive.com
