PSI
UK manufacturer of vacuum inert gas atomisation (VIGA) systems and rapid solidification equipment for producing high-purity spherical metal powders for additive manufacturing, aerospace, and advanced materials; also operates a toll atomisation service for custom alloy powder production.
- CEO / Founder
- William Hopkins
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $405K
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- UK SMART Fund
Technology & Products
Key Products
VIGA vacuum inert gas atomisation systems (lab, pilot, production scale); Melt spinners (metallic glasses, amorphous ribbons); Wire casters (100µm magnetic wire); Arc melters; PVD coating systems; CVI/CVD furnaces for ceramic composites; Toll-basis custom powder production service
Technological Advantage
Ceramic-free reactive metal melting eliminates ceramic contamination in titanium and aluminum-lithium powders; superheated gas technology achieves finer particle size distributions than standard VIGA; continuous gas recycling reduces operating cost; sister company MPP provides integrated powder production expertise.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Supplies turnkey VIGA powder atomisation systems and rapid solidification equipment enabling AM powder producers to achieve ceramic-free melting of reactive metals (Ti, Al-Li) and tight particle size distributions for SLM/LPBF applications; toll powder service provides fast access to custom alloy compositions without capital outlay.
How They Differentiate
Longest-established independent VIGA system manufacturer in the UK (50+ years); proprietary reactive metal ceramic-free melting and superheated gas innovations; unique combined equipment manufacturing + toll powder production + process development capability under one roof; sister company MPP provides integrated alloy composition expertise.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
AM powder producers, aerospace/defense prime contractors, medical device OEMs, research institutions, and advanced materials companies requiring custom metal powder or rapid solidification equipment
Industry Verticals
Additive Manufacturing; Powder Metallurgy; Aerospace; Defense; Medical Devices; Propellant Systems; Industrial Manufacturing
Competitors
Atomising Systems Ltd (UK); Hermiga Systems; Arcast Inc (USA); BluePower Casting Systems
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Global installation base of rapid solidification systems across 3+ continents; SMART-funded R&D programme for hot gas atomisation; active international exhibition presence (Formnext 2022, 2025)
Major Milestones
1974: Phoenix Scientific Industries Ltd. founded; 1980s-90s: Development of proprietary VIGA and rapid solidification technology; 2000s: Expanded product range to melt spinners, wire casters, PVD systems; 2010s: Toll atomisation service established; SMART-funded hot gas atomisation programme; 2022: Formnext exhibition; 2025: Formnext exhibition
Notable Customers
["BAE Systems","Airbus","Rolls-Royce","GKN Aerospace","Proxima","University of Greenwich"]