6K Additive (ASX: 6KA), a producer of metal powders for additive manufacturing, has signed a global long-term supply agreement with Siemens Energy, which operates additive manufacturing facilities that generate nickel alloy powder during production. Under the agreement, Siemens Energy will supply spent nickel alloy powder from its additive manufacturing facilities to 6K Additive for use as feedstock in the company’s UniMelt microwave plasma production system.
Material supplied through the agreement consists of nickel-based superalloy revert powder that would otherwise enter lower-value recycling streams. The powder producer processes this feedstock through its UniMelt system to produce virgin metal powder suitable for additive manufacturing. According to the company, this approach supports material efficiency and reduces environmental impact across the additive manufacturing supply chain.
Nearly 20 tons of nickel superalloy powder originating from Siemens Energy have already been processed. Powder produced from that material has been supplied into the broader additive manufacturing market. Results from the collaboration show how industrial revert material can be converted into new powder for additive manufacturing applications.
“At Siemens Energy, sustainability and responsible resource use are integral to how we approach advanced manufacturing,” said Steve Sarcander, Head of Finance, Additive Manufacturing of Siemens Energy. “By supplying our revert material into 6K Additive’s production process, we are supporting circular material flows while helping to reduce waste and emissions associated with metal powder production. Partnerships like this play an important role in strengthening the overall additive manufacturing value chain.”
Frank Roberts, CEO of 6K Additive, added, “Siemens Energy is a strong example of an industrial partner committed to advancing circularity. Their consistent and high-quality feedstock enables us to produce premium nickel alloy powders using our UniMelt process, delivering meaningful reductions in energy use and carbon emissions while supporting the growing demand for sustainable AM materials.”
6K Additive states that its UniMelt microwave plasma platform is the first production-scale system capable of converting certified-chemistry machined millings, turnings, and recycled feedstock into additive-manufacturing-ready metal powder. Company information describes UniMelt as the only production-scale microwave plasma system currently operating, designed to provide a uniform and contamination-free processing zone. A life-cycle assessment cited by the company reports that the process can reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by more than 90% for nickel-based alloys compared with conventional powder production methods.
Strategic supply agreements reshape metal powder availability
Metal additive manufacturing depends on consistent access to specialized alloy powders, which has led manufacturers and material suppliers to formalize supply partnerships. Elmet Technologies, a fully integrated U.S.-owned producer of tungsten and molybdenum products, recently entered a strategic agreement with TANIOBIS GmbH, a German supplier of niobium and tantalum materials. The partnership establishes a North American distribution channel for C-103 and FS-85 powders used in additive manufacturing. Both alloys serve high-temperature aerospace applications, and the collaboration focuses on improving supply reliability for defense and space manufacturing programs.
Long-term agreements between machine manufacturers and powder producers are also emerging as companies scale production. Velo3D, a metal 3D printer manufacturer, signed a five-year exclusive supply agreement with Amaero covering Niobium C103 and other refractory alloy powders, with the deal expected to generate about $22 million in revenue. Amaero will supply powders including molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, and zirconium while expanding U.S. production capacity through new gas atomizers capable of producing more than 800 metric tonnes annually. The arrangement secures dedicated material supply as Velo3D deploys those powders across its Sapphire printer systems.
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Featured photo shows the UniMelt system. Photo via 6K Additive.
