Madisonville, KY / Canada — As the tungsten recycling industry continues to evolve, 74 Alloys marked a significant milestone last spring: a decade of specialized service in tungsten alloy scrap reclamation. What began in 2014 as an innovative response to supplier needs has grown into a cornerstone of Tungco’s commitment to comprehensive metal recovery.
The Story Behind the Atomic Number, 74
The name 74 Alloys isn’t arbitrary—it’s rooted in chemistry. Tungsten sits at position 74 on the periodic table, and that’s exactly what this division represents: everything in the tungsten family that extends beyond traditional tungsten carbide scrap recycling.
“We created 74 Alloys to be truly supplier-obsessed,” explains CEO and Owner, Cliff Nance. “Our suppliers were consistently asking, ‘Would you take this material?’ We knew there was demand for tungsten alloy recycling (molybdenum scrap, tantalum recovery, and other specialty metals)—we just needed to build the right home for it.”
BIR Spain: Building Global Relationships in Tungsten Scrap Trading
This past spring, 74 Alloys made its presence further known at the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) trade show in Spain, one of the metal recycling industry’s premier global events. The expo provided an invaluable platform to connect with international tungsten suppliers, European scrap dealers, and heavy metal consumers looking for reliable tungsten alloy buyers.
“Trade shows like BIR Spain are where relationships are forged,” notes the Tungco team. “We don’t hide behind emails—we show up, shake hands, and demonstrate that our word still matters in this business.”
The Spanish connection reinforces 74 Alloys’ position in the global tungsten supply chain, linking North American tungsten carbide recycling operations with European manufacturers and Asian tungsten powder producers.
New Generation Steps Up: Nate Doner Is Called to Action with 74 Alloys
Growth brings opportunity, and 74 Alloys is answering increased demand with strategic team expansion. Junior procurement agent Nate Doner is stepping into a pivotal role to support the division’s growing operations—continuing a proud tradition of family expertise in the tungsten business.
Nate joins his father, Rob Doner – Senior Procurement Lead at Tungco – creating a father-son combination that embodies Tungco’s multi-generational approach to the tungsten recycling industry. Just as Steve Nance started recovering tungsten in high school and passed the torch to his son Cliff, the Doner family represents the next wave of dedicated professionals who understand that tungsten scrap procurement is both a science and an art.
The synergistic relationship between 74 Alloys and Tungco is apparent. “Nate brings fresh energy and a commitment to learning every aspect of tungsten alloy trading,” the team shares. “Having Rob’s experience combined with Nate’s drive positions us perfectly for the future of specialty metal recycling.”
Adam Rubin’s Evolution: From President to Strategic Leadership
When 74 Alloys launched in 2014, Adam Rubin came aboard as an expert in specialty tungsten products and quickly became integral to the division’s success. As the former president of 74 Alloys based in Canada, Adam built the foundation for what the division has become today. He is now the Director of Global Sales and Procurement at Tungco.
“Adam educated our teams on the nuances of tungsten heavy alloy, molybdenum scrap processing, and tantalum recovery,” explains Cliff Nance. “He introduced us to new customers and helped us be more supplier-obsessed with the thousand-plus suppliers already in our network.”
Now in a new strategic role within the Tungco family of companies, Adam continues to shape the direction of specialty metal reclamation while ensuring 74 Alloys maintains its reputation for expertise and integrity in tungsten alloy buying.
What Makes 74 Alloys Different in Tungsten Scrap Recycling
Based in Canada with strong ties to Tungco’s Kentucky roots, 74 Alloys handles the materials that complement traditional tungsten carbide recycling:
- Tungsten Heavy Alloy (W-Ni-Fe, W-Ni-Cu) from aerospace, defense, and medical applications
- Molybdenum Scrap from high-temperature industrial processes
- Tantalum Recovery from electronics and chemical processing equipment
- Specialty Tungsten Products including tungsten wire, tungsten rod, and tungsten sheet scrap
- Mixed Tungsten Alloys from manufacturing and machining operations
Industries We Serve: From Oil Fields to Operating Rooms
74 Alloys sources tungsten alloy scrap from diverse sectors:
- Oil and Gas: Tungsten heavy alloy drilling components and downhole tools
- Aerospace and Defense: Counterweights, kinetic penetrators, and radiation shielding
- Medical and Healthcare: Tungsten alloy radiation protection and collimators
- Manufacturing: Tungsten copper electrodes and specialty tooling
- Electronics: Tantalum capacitors and molybdenum sputtering targets
- Automotive: Tungsten alloy weights and balancing components
The Tungco Difference: Relationships Over Transactions
What sets 74 Alloys apart in the competitive tungsten scrap market isn’t just technical expertise—it’s the philosophy inherited from Tungco’s founding principles.
We pick up the phone. We settle quotes with integrity. We weigh every pound with care. We understand that in the tungsten recycling business, your word is your currency.
“We’re not just metal movers,” the team emphasizes. “We’re relationship builders playing the long game. Whether you’re a small machine shop with 50 pounds of tungsten carbide inserts or a major manufacturer with truckload quantities of tungsten alloy scrap, you get the same level of service.”
Sustainable Tungsten: Why Recycling Matters
Tungsten is a critical material with limited global supply. Mining new tungsten ore is energy-intensive and environmentally impactful. Recycling tungsten through operations like 74 Alloys and Tungco creates a circular economy that:
- Reduces mining pressure on primary tungsten resources
- Decreases carbon footprint in tungsten production
- Provides cost-effective alternatives to virgin material
- Supports domestic tungsten supply chain resilience
- Creates value from industrial waste streams
Every pound of recycled tungsten carbide, tungsten alloy, or molybdenum scrap represents both environmental stewardship and smart business.
Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of Innovation
As 74 Alloys celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2024 and future-facing, the division is positioned for continued growth in specialty metal recycling. With expanded team capacity through Nate Doner’s addition, strategic leadership from industry veterans, and global connections forged at events like BIR Spain, the future is bright.
“We started 74 Alloys because our suppliers asked us to,” reflects the Tungco leadership. “We’re growing it because the market needs reliable tungsten alloy buyers who do business the right way—not the easy way.”
Get a Quote Today
Have tungsten scrap, tungsten alloys, molybdenum, or tantalum to sell? Let 74 Alloys prove what “Whatever it Takes” really means.
Contact 74 Alloys for:
- Competitive tungsten scrap pricing
- Accurate material processing and assay
- Efficient settlement and payment
- Expert guidance on material classification
- Truckload or small quantity purchases
Whether you’re in Kentucky, across Canada, throughout the United States, or anywhere globally, 74 Alloys and Tungco are ready to turn your specialty metal scrap into revenue.
Call us. Because in this business, relationships still matter.
74 Alloys is a division of Tungco, a family-owned leader in tungsten carbide recycling and tungsten scrap procurement since 1971. Learn more about our tungsten recycling services, request a quote, or schedule a pickup at tungco.com.
