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Hanwha

ApplicationSeoul, South KoreaFounded 1952· One of 686 Application companies tracked by AMPulse

A diversified conglomerate applying additive manufacturing (metal and polymer) to produce complex components for defense, aerospace, and shipbuilding, reducing lead times and enabling advanced designs.

CEO / Founder
Seung Youn Kim
Team Size
5001-10000
Stage
Established

Technology & Products

Key Products

3D printed shrouded turbine wheels (Hanwha Power Systems); Metal AM components for naval vessels (Hanwha Philly Shipyard); Investment in 3D printed solid rocket motors (via Hanwha Defense USA in Firehawk Aerospace); Satellite antenna components (formerly Hanwha Phasor)

Technological Advantage

Proprietary application of metal AM (likely DED and PBF processes) for large, complex maritime and aerospace components, as evidenced by case studies (e.g., turbine wheel with Stratasys Direct, shipyard components). Advantage stems from scale, cross-subsidiary technology transfer, and deep integration into defense supply chains, protected by trade secrets and operational know-how rather than a single patent portfolio.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Leverages in-house AM capabilities across subsidiaries (Aerospace, Defense, Ocean) to produce mission-critical components with reduced weight, improved performance, and faster turnaround than traditional manufacturing, while integrating AM into large-scale production systems.

How They Differentiate

Unlike traditional naval shipbuilders and defense primes, Hanwha is aggressively integrating advanced robotics and additive manufacturing into its shipbuilding and aerospace processes from the outset, aiming for greater agility and design freedom in unmanned platform development. Competes on technology-integrated manufacturing approach rather than pure scale.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Defense contractors, aerospace OEMs, naval shipyards, energy companies

Industry Verticals

Aerospace & Defense; Shipbuilding; Energy; Satellite Communications

Competitors

HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries); General Dynamics Electric Boat; BAE Systems Maritime; Northrop Grumman Ship Systems

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Hanwha Ocean reported sales of KRW 12.688 trillion (~$9.5B) and operating profit of KRW 1.109 trillion (~$830M) in 2025. Hanwha Solutions Q3 2025 sales rose 7.9% QoQ to KRW 3,364.4 billion (~$2.5B).

Major Milestones

1952: Founded as Korea Explosives Company; 2024/2025: Acquisition and integration of Philly Shipyard (Hanwha Ocean); 2025: Investment in Firehawk Aerospace for 3D printed rocket motors; 2026: Strategic partnership with Magnet Defense for unmanned naval vessels; 2025: Use of 3D printing at U.S. shipyard to advance LNG vessel production

Notable Customers

U.S. Navy/Pentagon (target via MUSV program); Boeing (implied via aerospace supply chain); Internal Hanwha subsidiaries (Power Systems, Ocean, Aerospace)

https://www.hanwha.com

Recent coverage of Hanwha

AM patents

AM-relevant patents linked to this company.

Patents
6
Granted
3
Families
6

Leading domains: process (5), material (4), application (3)

Filings by year: 2025: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2013: 1

  1. COMBUSTOR20230101582 · KR
  2. Impeller assembly of fluid rotary machine and manufacturing method thereof09835163 · US
  3. SUPPORT STRUCTURES USED IN METAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS4810180 · EP
  4. METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE MATERIAL PRODUCT BY USING 3D PRINTING PROCESS2018052164 · WO
  5. SUPPORT STRUCTURES USED IN METAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS20260284749 · US