Outokumpu, a global leader in sustainable stainless steel, has been making strides in the metal powder market for additive manufacturing. The company began producing metal powder at its Krefeld, Germany, production site in April 2023, utilizing 100% recycled stainless steel scrap. As part of its innovation strategy and commitment to the circular economy, Outokumpu aims to produce up to 330 tons of metal powder annually. Following a successful trial year, the company is now moving into the commercial production phase. Additionally, Outokumpu is initiating several research and development collaborations with various industries interested in using steel powder for innovative products.
Outokumpu has partnered with STAHL KREBS, a steel trading company, as part of the publicly funded REACT project by the German government. Another collaboration involves the medical and jewelry industries, focusing on nickel-free materials suitable for implants, medical tools, and watches. This project, HiPAM, is funded by EIT Raw Materials and led by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
"Additive manufacturing is a key technological innovation of the 21st century and will play a crucial role in the global green transition. The metal powder market for additive manufacturing has seen significant growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding," says Marten Franz, Head of Metal Powder Business at Outokumpu. He cites a Fortune Business Insights report estimating the global metal powder market's value at USD 6.75 billion in 2021, with projections reaching USD 10.79 billion by 2029. "Our goal is to contribute to this development by providing high-quality, low-emission metal powder for 3D printing, sourced from our recycled steel."
Solutions for Demanding Applications
Outokumpu's focus is on producing metal powders tailored for companies that require materials for demanding specialty applications. The company operates a proprietary test laboratory to modify and validate applications based on customer-specific requirements.
"We believe that a sustainable and profitable economy is achievable through a circular approach that combines technological innovation with resource conservation. In collaboration with our partners, we aim to make significant progress toward this goal in 2024. Additionally, we are developing new materials to expand our stainless metal powder portfolio, leveraging our century-long expertise in stainless flat products to support sectors such as energy and aerospace," Franz adds.
Source and Photo: Outokumpu
