Tekna, a Canadian producer of high-purity metal powders and plasma systems, has secured a CAD 1.6 million (USD 1.17M) order for titanium powder from a Tier-1 supplier to the U.S. aerospace and defense sector. The order, scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2025, marks a fivefold increase in monthly volume compared to previous shipments.
The increase reflects sustained demand for Tekna’s Ti64 alloy, a titanium-based powder optimized for Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) processes. The customer specifically requested material in the prime particle size range, indicating a preference for powder properties that support consistent flow, packing density, and laser absorption—factors critical to performance in AM systems.
“We are proud to deepen our relationship with a key aerospace and defense partner,” said Claude Jean, Chief Executive Officer. “This expanded order underscores the trust our customers place in the consistency and quality of our materials for mission-critical applications.” Rémy Pontone, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Additive Manufacturing Materials, added, “Laser Powder Bed Fusion is the most widely adopted additive manufacturing process today, and our Ti64 powder is optimized for performance in these systems. The increased monthly volumes point to higher machine utilization on the customer side and reflect some improved momentum we’re seeing in the AM sector.”
Tekna uses induction plasma to produce spherical, flowable powders with controlled particle size distributions. Ti64, a titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy, is widely adopted in aerospace and medical manufacturing due to its strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. The company’s powder production process supports repeatability, a key requirement for qualifying components in regulated industries.
Headquartered in Sherbrooke, Quebec, the firm is publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker TEKNA. In addition to supplying powders for 3D printing, the firm develops plasma systems used in industrial production and research. Its customer base spans sectors such as automotive, electronics, and energy storage. Financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2025 will be published on August 14.
Ti64 Qualification and Sustainability Drive Growth in Additive Manufacturing
In early 2025, PyroGenesis, a Canadian producer of metal powders via plasma atomization, confirmed that its Ti64 material had advanced to the final stages of Boeing’s supplier qualification process. The announcement marked a key development in the aerospace sector’s adoption of domestically produced titanium alloys for additive manufacturing. PyroGenesis’ coarse Ti64 powder, designed for Electron Beam Melting and Direct Energy Deposition, met Boeing’s technical standards after an extended evaluation period. The company has since stockpiled material in preparation for approval, which would place it among a select group of qualified suppliers to one of the world’s largest aerospace OEMs.
Meanwhile, 6K Additive, a U.S.-based materials company using sustainable production methods, recently announced that its titanium powder has been qualified for TRUMPF’s TruPrint metal 3D printing systems. The qualification simplifies adoption for aerospace and defense users by aligning powder and machine performance ahead of customer-specific validation. TRUMPF cited growing demand for environmental transparency as one reason for partnering with 6K Additive, whose UniMelt microwave plasma technology significantly reduces the carbon footprint of powder production. An independent life cycle assessment reported up to a 75% reduction in emissions for titanium alloys when compared to traditional atomization methods.
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Featured photo shows Tekna’s high-purity, titanium powder. Image via Tekna.
