6K Additive, a producer of metal powders for additive manufacturing, has been selected as the preferred metal powder supplier to AGF Defcom for the production of firearm suppressors using 3D printing. The companies announced the agreement at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas, establishing a supply relationship focused on high-performance metal powders used in metal additive manufacturing.
The agreement centers on the use of 6K Additive’s UniMelt microwave production system to supply metal powders for AGF Defcom’s additive manufacturing operations. In addition to powder supply, the partnership introduces a closed-loop upcycling program intended to reprocess manufacturing scrap generated during suppressor production. Both solid metal waste and unused powder will be converted back into metal powder suitable for reuse in additive manufacturing.
According to the companies, the closed-loop approach is designed to support a fully domestic supply chain while reducing material waste and overall production costs. Scrap that would otherwise require disposal or external processing is instead retained within AGF Defcom’s manufacturing workflow, where it is returned to powder form and reintroduced into production. The companies described the program as a means of improving material efficiency while maintaining supply security.
Zoltan Kovacs, owner and CEO of AGF Defcom, said the agreement addresses a key requirement for scaling additive manufacturing in the suppressor sector. “The suppressor market is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and our investment in additive manufacturing is driving significant interest,” Kovacs said. “To succeed with this technology, high-quality powder is a non-negotiable requirement. While partnering with 6K Additive ensures a premium domestic supply, the ability to upcycle our scrap is the real game changer. We have successfully transformed what was once a logistical and financial burden into a high-value asset that directly improves our bottom line.”
Market conditions in 2026 have shifted following the removal of the $200 federal tax stamp for suppressors, which has driven increased consumer demand and a surge in applications. The regulatory change has contributed to higher sales volumes and a growing number of first-time buyers, while expanding the market for lower-priced suppressor products.
Scott Dunham, Executive Vice President of Research at Additive Manufacturing Research, said suppressors represent a structurally important growth market for metal additive manufacturing. “The additive suppressor market is one we’ve been watching since 2017, and its impact today on metal additive manufacturing is undeniable,” Dunham said. “Additive technologies have enabled both business model innovation and product innovation in the area of suppressors, and within five years Additive Manufacturing Research expects a penetration of metal AM technologies into this market exceeding 70 percent.”
Dunham compared the shift underway in suppressor manufacturing to earlier industry transitions enabled by additive manufacturing. “Reminiscent of what polymer printing did to the hearing aid industry in the late 2000s, and what continues to happen today in space and rocket propulsion, suppressors are the latest market that will flip to an additive dominant production this decade,” he said. “It’s therefore important for stakeholders to be able to continue to bring a solid value proposition in this area to accelerate the transition and push the AM industry forward as a whole.”
Frank Roberts, CEO of 6K Additive, said the collaboration reflects alignment between additive manufacturing supply chains and domestic manufacturing priorities. “With the suppressor market growing at a staggering 265% in just five years, teaming up with AGF Defcom is a perfect strategic fit,” Roberts said. “They have a 25-year legacy of manufacturing excellence, and we are excited to support their high-growth trajectory.” Roberts added that AGF Defcom’s focus on converting scrap into reusable powder aligns with broader efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing for defense-related applications.
Organizations seeking to collaborate with 6K Additive on specialized metal powder requirements can find additional information at the company’s website.
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Featured photo shows Metal lattice suppressor components. Photo via AGF Defcom.
