AMspheres (ECKART)
Manufactures spherical metal powders and high-performance alloys for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and additive manufacturing, featuring proprietary A20X aluminum alloy (world's strongest for AM) and titanium-aluminum-copper portfolio; produces 500–2,500°C temperature range materials via EIGA and crucible atomization.
- CEO / Founder
- Dr. Christian Przybyla
- Team Size
- 501-1000
- Stage
- Active
- Latest Round
- Acquired
- Key Investors
- ALTANA AG
Technology & Products
Key Products
A20X® (proprietary high-strength aluminum alloy; world's strongest for AM; ultimate tensile strength 511 MPa, yield 440 MPa, elongation 13%); Aluminum alloys: AlSi10Mg, AlSi7Mg, AlSi40, AlSi50, 6061, 7075; Titanium alloys: Ti6Al4V (Grade 5 & 23), Ti6242, Ti6246, Ti5553; Copper alloys: OFHC-Cu, CuCrZr; Custom/specialty alloys (bespoke development capability); Spherical zirconium powder (specialty applications)
Technological Advantage
A20X patent portfolio (acquired via AMT—Aluminium Materials Technologies, Worcester, UK) provides differentiated high-strength material for demanding aerospace/medical applications; dual atomization equipment (EIGA and crucible) allows flexible alloy development and rapid prototyping; EN 9100 certification creates switching cost for aerospace OEMs (re-qualification of new suppliers = 12–18 months).
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Delivers highest-strength aluminum powder (A20X) enabling crack-free printing of aerospace brackets and medical implants; 100+ years metal atomization expertise + EN 9100 aerospace certification + custom alloy development reduces material qualification time from 18–24 months to 6–12 months for Tier-1 aerospace customers.
How They Differentiate
A20X crack-free formulation (unique competitive advantage vs. standard AlSi10Mg) enables 30–40% higher-strength aerospace brackets; dual EIGA/crucible atomization (vs. single-process competitors) allows rapid alloy customization; EN 9100 certification + 100+ years atomization heritage reduces aerospace qualification risk; Runaya India partnership provides geographic advantage for Asia-Pacific OEM expansion vs. North America-centric competitors.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Aerospace OEMs, defense contractors, medical device manufacturers, automotive engineers requiring certified EN 9100 metal powders for complex high-stress components
Industry Verticals
Aerospace & Defense; Medical Devices & Implants; Automotive; Power Generation; Oil & Gas; High-Performance Engineering
Competitors
Carpenter Technologies (US-based, large metal powder portfolio for aerospace/medical; established market leader); Sandvik AB (Swedish, 15–20% metal powder market share, strong in aerospace/medical; full-service AM provider); Praxair/Linde (global gas atomization leader, titanium and specialty powders); GKN Powder Metallurgy (UK, strong aerospace heritage, 20%+ market share in metal powders); Oerlikon (Swiss, metal powder and coating systems); AP&C (Canada, titanium powder specialist)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Strategic joint venture with Runaya announced 2024 for sustainable aluminum powder facility in India; expanded product portfolio post-TLS/AMT acquisitions (2020/2021) to include Ti-based and Cu-based alloys; growing presence at major AM trade shows (Formnext, Euro PM) as primary exhibitor in metal powder category.
Major Milestones
2020 (September 14): ALTANA acquires TLS Technik GmbH & Co. Spezialpulver KG (Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany); announced strategic expansion into metal AM powders; 2020: Concurrent acquisition of Aluminium Materials Technologies Ltd. (Worcester, UK) — A20X proprietary alloy; 2021 (February): TLS acquisition closes; operations renamed ECKART TLS GmbH; ~40 employees + Bitterfeld production facility integrated; 2021 (March 1): Dr. Christian Przybyla appointed Chairman of Management Board, ECKART GmbH; elevated to ALTANA AG Executive Management Team; 2024: Launch of strategic joint venture with Runaya for sustainable spherical aluminum powder production facility in India