VOLKMANN
Closed-loop metal powder handling and recovery systems for additive manufacturing—enabling automated pre-print filling, post-print depowdering, powder recycling, and drying with ATEX-compliant safety design.
- CEO / Founder
- Thilo Volkmann
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $895K
- Latest Round
- Grant - $895K - April 2019
- Key Investors
- German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Technology & Products
Key Products
PowTReX automated metal powder handling systems for additive manufacturing (pre-print filling, post-print depowdering, powder recycling, drying); closed-loop inert gas powder transfer systems; ATEX-certified safety systems for explosive dust environments; EOS Edition systems for integration with EOS metal AM printers; HP Metal Jet powder handling solutions.
Technological Advantage
Only major supplier with integrated end-to-end metal powder lifecycle solutions (load → depowder → recycle → reload); ATEX expertise from pharmaceutical/chemical industries (decades of dust-explosive material handling); modular architecture (vLoader, vHub, vPort, DPS) enables scalable OEM integration; partnerships with EOS and HP lock in specifications for their next-gen systems.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces metal powder waste by 30–50% (recycling efficiency); cuts manual post-processing labor by 60–80% through full automation; enables closed-loop inert-gas powder handling for quality-critical aerospace/automotive components; ATEX-certified for explosive-dust safety.
How They Differentiate
Only supplier with full automation stack (filling + depowdering + recycling + drying) in single closed-loop system; 10+ years installed base (PowTReX proven in production across EOS, GE, BMW facilities); ATEX safety certification differentiates from competitors; custom engineering for high-viscosity/adhesive powders (proprietary surface coatings).
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Metal AM equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and production facilities in aerospace, automotive, and industrial 3D printing
Industry Verticals
Additive Manufacturing (metal LPBF/EBM/DED systems); Aerospace & Defense; Automotive; Chemical & Pharmaceutical (vacuum conveying legacy applications); Food Industry; Battery & Semiconductor Manufacturing
Competitors
Schneider Packaging, Haver & Boecker, Premier Tech
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Expansion: New 4,500 m² production facility construction in Soest (recent). Throughput: PowTReX processes up to 500 kg/h stainless steel, 300 kg/h aluminum powder. Installed base: Numerous production-scale systems deployed across EOS, GKN, BMW, and automotive/aerospace customers. Team: ~200 employees at HQ + subsidiaries (USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Japan).
Major Milestones
1973: Founded as production automation consulting company; 1979: Shifted focus to vacuum technology core competency; 1992: Thilo Volkmann takes over as second-generation managing director; 2010+: Entered additive manufacturing powder handling market (10+ years experience per web); 2018+: Major partnership with EOS for integrated powder solutions; 2022+: Partnership with HP for vPort system on HP Metal Jet; 2025: Expanding Soest facility with 4,500 m² production hall; Formnext 2025 exhibition featuring closed inert-gas powder cycle demonstrations
Notable Customers
EOS, GE, BMW (for PowTReX system); customers in chemical, food processing, pharmaceutical, battery manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive industries.