Steel company Outokumpu to take the next steps in metal powder production with several co-operation and public-funded projects.
Outokumpu, a global leader in sustainable stainless steel, entered the metal powder market for additive manufacturing nearly a year ago by piloting to produce metal powder at its production site in Krefeld, Germany in April 2023. Outokumpu’s target is to further strengthen the company’s ambitious innovation strategy and circular economy efforts by producing annually up to 330 tons of metal powder from the company's own recycled material, 100% stainless steel scrap. Upon completion of the first trial-year, the company is now entering into commercial production phase. On top, several research and development co-operation projects will be started with companies from a wide range of industries that want to use steel powder for new innovative products.
Outokumpu has been entering a collaboration with steel trading company Stahl Krebs, as part of the public funded project React by German government. Another collaboration in the pipeline is within the medical and jewelry industry to work on nickel-free materials, which can be used for implants, medical tools and watches. The collaboration is taking place via a public funded project by EIT Raw Materials, HiPAM, led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
“Additive manufacturing is one of the key technological innovations of the 21st century and will also play an important role in the green transition of global economies. Markets for metal powder in additive manufacturing have grown massively in recent years and are expected to continue growing until the end of the decade. According to Fortune Business Insights, the total volume of the global metal powder market was USD 6.75 billion in 2021, with expected growth to USD 10.79 billion by 2029*. Our ambition is to make significant contribution to this development by using the steel scrap from local production to create new solutions to the market. Following the test and ramp-up phase, we are now able to start supplying customers and cooperation partners with high-quality, low-emission metal powder for 3D printing”, says Marten Franz, Head of Metal Powder Business at Outokumpu.
Solutions for demanding applications
Outokumpu’s primary focus is on producing metal powders that are not yet on the market – suited for companies that use technologies to produce parts for demanding specialty applications. To support customer-specific requirements, Outokumpu operates its proprietary test laboratory, where the applications can be modified and validated directly on site.
“We are convinced that a sustainable and profitable economy can only be achieved with a circular approach that combines technological openness and resource conservation. Together with our partners, we want to take a big step towards this goal during 2024. In addition, new material developments and qualifications are taking place to expand the portfolio of stainless metal powder by utilizing our 100-yearlong material knowledge within the stainless flat products such as better corrosion or thermal resistant material to support energy and aerospace sector,” Franz continues.
Source: Outokumpu
