The presently claimed invention relates to a method of making a PcBN cutting tool insert. The method includes the following steps:mixing raw material powders, (e.g., cBN, hBN, TiC, TiN, Ti(C,N), WC, W, C, Co, Co2Al9, Al AlN, Al2O3) with a liquid (e.g., ethanol) and an agent (e.g., polyethylene glycol, PEG) to form a homogeneous slurry with the desired composition;forming spherical powder agglomerates, typically 100 mum in diameter, preferably by spray drying;pressing said agglomerates to form a body of desired dimensions and density using conventional tool pressing technology;removing the agent from the powder at a suitable temperature and atmosphere;raising the temperature to 1000-1350° C. in vacuum;solid state sintering the body at 1000-1350° C. in vacuum, for 1-90 minutes to form a body with 35-55 vol % porosity;optionally, adding 0.5-1000 mbar of nitrogen to the sintering atmosphere at the hold time or during cooling; andHP / HT treating the porous body to form a dense body of desired shape and dimension.