Equispheres

What Equispheres does

Equispheres is a privately held Canadian materials science company that designs and manufactures engineered metal powders for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing. The company's proprietary atomization technology produces monodisperse, highly spherical aluminum and copper powders with tightly controlled morphology (shape, size, sphericity, oxygen content) that are engineered specifically for AM — as opposed to powders repurposed from casting applications. Its aluminum portfolio spans AlSi10Mg variants branded Production, Performance, Precision, and NExP-1 (the world's only ASTM E1226-certified non-explosible aluminum powder), plus F357, A357, and Scalmalloy-RP produced under an APWORKS partnership. An oxygen-free copper powder (Cu-OF) launched in November 2025 extends the offering into semiconductor and electronics applications. The business sells engineered powder on a unit-pricing basis to enterprise customers in automotive, aerospace, defense, and electronics, bundling Applications Engineering services that assist with print parameter selection and qualification. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales with OEM-supplier agreements through Aconity3D, 3D Systems, and Xact Metal, where Equispheres powder is embedded into validated printer workflows.

Equispheres monetizes primarily through one-time powder sales with recurring volume usage, supplemented by professional services from an in-house applications engineering lab equipped with Aconity3D 1-kW LPBF systems and full metallurgical analysis capability. The commercial model is engineered around throughput economics: independent testing at McGill University has documented 2.5x faster powder flow and 30% better packing density than competitors, while customer case studies report 2–4x build rate improvements and up to 50% part-cost reductions — positioning Equispheres to compete with conventional casting for volume production. Strategic and financial backers include the Canadian government, BDC Capital, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, HG Ventures, and a $14.6M 2024 strategic round from Martinrea International, a Tier 1 automotive customer that also co-developed the award-winning AMUG 2025 e-motor housing project with Equispheres.

The company is led by co-founder Kevin Nicholds (President, CEO), with Sascha Rudolph (ex-EOS) as COO, Dr. Pedro Orsetti (VP Operations, 35-year aluminum industry veteran), Evan Butler-Jones (VP Product & Strategy), and Dr. Ali Mahallati (VP R&D). The board is chaired by Jeffrey York and includes Rob Wildeboer (also Chairman of Martinrea International). Equispheres is ISO 9001 certified, holds patent-pending status on its core powder production technology, and operates from Ottawa, Ontario.

Name

Equispheres

Legal name

Equispheres Inc.

Website

https://equispheres.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineered Metal Powders for Additive Manufacturing

NAICS

Powder Metallurgy Part Manufacturing (332117)

SIC

Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAAABAE

Metal Powders (LPBF/DMLS/EBM)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/3D Printing/3D Printing Materials (Polymers, Metals, Ceramics, Composites)

SECONDARYIMAHADAG

Additive Manufacturing for Metals (Metal 3D Printers & Post-Processing)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Machine Tools & Metalworking Equipment

Keywords

• Engineered metal powders
• Additive manufacturing materials
• Aluminum alloy powders
• Laser powder bed fusion
• 3D printing powders

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineered Metal Powder Sales: Sale of proprietary aluminum and copper metal powders for additive manufacturing. Product lines include Production, NExP-1 (non-explosible), Precision, and Performance aluminum powders, plus oxygen-free copper powder. Revenue is generated through direct powder sales, with volume pricing and applications engineering support bundled for enterprise customers.
2. Applications Engineering Services: Professional applications engineering services bundled with powder purchases, supporting customers with print parameter selection, process optimization, and qualification of new powder for AM programs. Draws on extensive testing database to achieve required part properties and production rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Equispheres engineers and manufactures high-performance aluminum and copper alloy powders for use in additive manufacturing processes such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and directed energy deposition (DED). The company supplies tiered powder product lines (Performance, Precision, Production, NExP-1) as well as specialty alloys to industrial customers in aerospace, automotive, defense, and semiconductor markets. Equispheres also provides applications engineering services to help customers qualify and optimize the use of its powders in serial production.

Product overview

Equispheres is a materials science technology company that develops engineered metal powders for metal additive manufacturing (AM). The core offering is a portfolio of aluminum and copper metal powders — specifically AlSi10Mg in Performance, NExP-1 (non-explosible), Precision, and Production variants, plus F357, A357, Scalmalloy-RP (with APWORKS), and Oxygen-Free Copper — all engineered for Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF). These powder product lines are complemented by Applications Engineering Services that support customers in selecting optimal print parameters. Equispheres' proprietary technology enables precise manipulation of powder characteristics (shape, size, sphericity, oxygen content) to deliver uniform, highly spherical powders that enable faster build rates, safer handling, and consistent mechanical properties in printed parts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NExP-1: Non-explosible aluminum powder line designed for volume part producers where safe handling is a priority
• Performance
• Precision
• Production
• Scalmalloy

Products and services

• AlSi10Mg Performance

Quantifiable outcome

• 3x faster production speed, 50% cost reduction
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• APWORKS (Airbus subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2025APWORKS and Equispheres partnered to produce Scalmalloy — a high-performance aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloy — for North American aerospace and industrial markets. The collaboration aims to bolster domestic supply, reduce lead times, and enhance supply chain resilience for advanced aerospace materials. Equispheres uses its advanced powder technology to atomize the specialized alloy locally.
• Aconity3DcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration combining Equispheres engineered aluminum powder with Aconity3D powder bed fusion printers. Joint case study demonstrated 3x faster print speed and 50% cost reduction printing a scan head component. Developed high-throughput LPBF process with laser beam shaping achieving 9x faster production. AconityTWO system used for vapor chamber integration projects.
• 3D SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier agreement enabling use of Equispheres North American-made aluminum powder with 3D Systems' DMP Flex 350 and DMP Factory 350 metal AM systems. Positions Equispheres as an approved, validated powder supplier within 3D Systems' customer ecosystem.
• Martinrea InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-winning collaboration on e-motor housing redesign using aluminum AM. Martinrea (TSX: MRE), a global automotive supplier with ~18,000 employees, partnered with Equispheres to integrate two-phase passive and active cooling into a single 3D-printed aluminum structure. Won AMUG 2025 Technical Competition Advanced Concepts. The project demonstrated >60% reduction in coolant pressure drop and 39°C reduction in temperature variation.
• FieldmademinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquispheres and Fieldmade partnered to bring non-explosive aluminum AM to the field. Combined Fieldmade's mobile NOMAD 03 LPBF system with Equispheres NExP-1 non-explosible powder for field-deployable aluminum 3D printing in remote locations. System targeted for availability in Summer 2025.
• Xact MetalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting SDU's adoption of aluminum AM on the Xact Metal XM200G printer using Equispheres NExP-1 non-explosible powder. Xact Metal provides affordable metal AM equipment that works with Equispheres powder for academic and industrial users.
• McGill UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership with McGill University's Department of Mining and Materials Engineering. McGill conducts third-party testing and validation of Equispheres powder characteristics including flowability, packing density, oxide layer thickness, and water adsorption. Research supports company's technical claims and advances understanding of powder-AME relationships.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EOS GmbH: EOS is the leading global supplier of industrial 3D printing systems and metal powders for additive manufacturing. Equispheres' COO Sascha Rudolph previously led EOS's Metal Materials business unit achieving 30% annual growth. EOS offers competing metal powders including aluminum alloys for LPBF and competes directly for OEM integrations and end-customer powder supply.
• APWORKS: APWORKS is an Airbus subsidiary that developed the Scalmalloy aluminum-magnesium-scandium alloy for aerospace AM. APWORKS is both a partner (collaborating with Equispheres on North American Scalmalloy production) and a competitor in specialty aerospace aluminum powders, making it a directly comparable and partially overlapping peer.
• Carpenter Technology (Carpenter Additive): Carpenter Technology is a major US-based specialty metals producer with a dedicated Carpenter Additive division producing metal powders for additive manufacturing, including aluminum and copper alloys. They compete directly with Equispheres for aerospace, automotive, and medical AM powder contracts and offer significant scale advantages.

Broad incumbents

• Höganäs AB: Höganäs is the world's largest producer of metal powders, with a significant presence in additive manufacturing through its Digital Metal brand and surface coating powders. They compete broadly in the metal AM powder market with extensive global distribution and broader alloy portfolios.
• Oerlikon AM: Oerlikon Additive Manufacturing is a division of Oerlikon producing metal powders for laser powder bed fusion and other AM processes. They serve aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial markets with aluminum, titanium, nickel, and other alloys, competing directly with Equispheres for enterprise powder contracts.
• Sandvik Additive Manufacturing: Sandvik's Additive Manufacturing division produces gas-atomized metal powders including aluminum and copper alloys for AM applications. As part of a major engineering group, Sandvik offers significant scale, established aerospace qualification, and global distribution competing with Equispheres for enterprise powder supply.
• Linde / Praxair Surface Technologies: Linde (through Praxair Surface Technologies) produces gas-atomized metal powders for thermal spray and additive manufacturing applications. As a global industrial gases and coatings major, they compete broadly in metal powder production with established customer relationships in aerospace and industrial markets.

Emerging players

• Metal Powder Works: Metal Powder Works is an emerging US-based company producing metal powders using a proprietary Plasma Rotating Electrode Process for additive manufacturing. They focus on copper and other high-purity powders and represent an emerging competitor in the same end markets as Equispheres' copper powder business.
• Elementum 3D: Elementum 3D is a US-based company developing reactive and refractory metal powders for additive manufacturing, including aluminum alloys. They compete in specialty AM powder segments and serve similar aerospace and defense end markets, though with a different alloy focus than Equispheres.

Others

• Aconity3D: Aconity3D is a German manufacturer of LPBF metal 3D printing systems and a strategic partner of Equispheres with validated powder/printer workflows. While they also offer their own LPBF systems and recommend Equispheres powder, they are more directly an OEM partner than a powder competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/equispheres
• Facebookfacebook.com/equispheres
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/equispheres-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/Equispheres_inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Equispheres