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6K Additive

MaterialsBurgettstown, Pennsylvania, USAFounded 2017· One of 969 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

6K Additive specializes in producing high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing, including titanium, nickel, copper, stainless steel, aluminium alloys, and refractory metal powders.

CEO / Founder
Frank Roberts
Team Size
51-200
Stage
Public
Total Funding
$341.85M
Latest Round
IPO
Key Investors
Albemarle, Exelon, Equinor, Hanon Systems, Volta Energy Technologies, Koch Strategic Platforms, Energy Impact Partners, HG Ventures, Anzu Partners, LaunchCapital, Material Impact

Technology & Products

Key Products

High-performance metal powders for additive manufacturing, including titanium, nickel, copper, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and refractory metal powders. Utilizes proprietary UniMelt® microwave plasma system.

Technological Advantage

Reduces energy usage significantly (up to 90% for nickel-based alloys and 75% for titanium alloys) while minimizing carbon emissions and enabling contamination-free production.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Delivers sustainable, high-performance metal powders with consistent quality and reduced environmental impact using proprietary UniMelt technology.

How They Differentiate

Focused on sustainability and cost-effective production by leveraging proprietary UniMelt® technology that reduces energy consumption and utilizes recycled feedstock. They upcycle critical materials from domestic scrap sources into high-performance metal powders.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Companies in aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, and energy storage industries

Industry Verticals

["Aerospace","Defense","Automotive","Medical","Battery Storage","Renewable Energy"]

Competitors

Carpenter Technology Corporation; Sandvik Additive Manufacturing; GE Additive

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Expanding production capacity with state-of-the-art facilities and increased commercial sales activities through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.

Major Milestones

["TRUMPF TruPrint qualification for sustainable titanium powder","Certification for high recycled content in titanium powder","Acquisition of Global Metal Powders to enhance product capabilities","Partnership with Metal Powder Works to expand material offerings"]

Notable Customers

US Defense Logistics Agency, Siemens Energy, RTX Corporation, TRUMPF, EOS, Honeywell Aerospace, Nuvasive Medical

https://www.6kadditive.com

Recent coverage of 6K Additive

Why this company matters

6K Additive occupies a distinctive position in the metal powder market by combining sustainability with performance. While many powder producers rely on gas atomization or plasma atomization, 6K Additive's proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma system converts scrap material into spherical, contamination-free powders. This process reduces energy usage by up to 90% for nickel-based alloys and 75% for titanium alloys, directly addressing the environmental footprint of metal AM feedstock.

The company's product portfolio spans titanium, nickel, copper, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and refractory metal powders. These materials serve LPBF, EBM, and binder jetting processes across aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, battery storage, and renewable energy applications. Notable customers include the US Defense Logistics Agency, Siemens Energy, and the US Army Development Command, indicating traction in both defense and industrial energy segments.

6K Additive's strategic moat rests on its UniMelt IP and its ability to upcycle domestic scrap into certified powders. Partnerships with TRUMPF, Metal Powder Works, and Global Metal Powders extend its qualification footprint and material breadth. The company has raised $259.85 million from investors including Koch Strategic Platforms, Energy Impact Partners, and Albemarle. A key open question is whether its cost structure can compete with conventional gas atomization at scale, particularly for high-volume aerospace and automotive production.

CEO Frank Roberts previously led Carpenter Technology's additive manufacturing business, bringing deep industry knowledge. With 51-200 employees and expanding production capacity, 6K Additive is positioned as a leading sustainable metal powder supplier for AM, though it faces entrenched competitors like Sandvik Additive Manufacturing and Carpenter Technology.