BLT breaks ground on 1 billion yuan metal powder production facility in Shaanxi

BLT has officially commenced construction on a new 1 billion yuan additive manufacturing powder production base located in the Fengxi New City of Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province. The 153-acre facility is designed to integrate R&D, production, and testing centers, featuring over 100 production lines dedicated to titanium alloys, high-temperature alloys, and substrate pressing. Construction began in March 2026, with pilot production scheduled for August 2026 and full operational capacity expected to reach 4,000 tons of 3D printing powder annually by the end of the year.

This massive capital expenditure addresses a critical bottleneck in the metal AM value chain: the localized, high-volume supply of aerospace-grade spherical powders. By scaling to 4,000 tons per year, BLT is positioning itself to secure its vertical integration strategy, reducing reliance on external powder suppliers for its LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) systems. This move comes as China's 3D printing equipment output grew by 54% in Q1 2026, highlighting a surge in demand for high-performance materials like Ti-6Al-4V and nickel-based superalloys used in defense and aerospace sectors.

To realize the projected 4,000-ton annual capacity, BLT must ensure the new facility meets stringent particle size distribution and morphology standards required for high-end industrial applications. The success of this expansion depends on the seamless integration of the 100+ production lines and the ability to maintain consistent powder quality across large-scale batches. Buyers in the aerospace and medical sectors will be looking for the stability of these new high-volume supply chains as they scale their own production workflows.