6K Additive

What 6K Additive does

6K Additive is a U.S. metal powder manufacturer that uses its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology to produce spherical and angular metal powders from sustainable feedstocks, including revert material and scrap, for additive manufacturing applications. The company serves aerospace and defense as its primary vertical, with additional exposure to medical devices, energy, automotive, and space, offering a portfolio that includes nickel superalloys (Nickel 718, Nickel 625), titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V), stainless steel (SS316L), copper alloys, and refractory metals (tungsten, niobium C103, tantalum, rhenium, molybdenum), as well as alloy additions (titanium and zirconium compacts) and pre-melt ingots. Its business model is built on quote-based, multi-year enterprise contracts with aerospace primes (RTX, Honeywell), OEMs (TRUMPF, 3D Systems, EOS, Wayland Additive), and government customers (DLA, US Army DEVCOM, DoD), complemented by a global distributor network covering India, UK/Ireland, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The company monetizes through one-time powder sales and transaction-fee-based powder recycling services, with sustainability, domestic sourcing, and circular-economy positioning as core value propositions.

6K Additive is a publicly traded subsidiary of 6K Inc., listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under ticker 6KA following a December 2025 IPO that raised A$48 million at an A$267 million initial market capitalization. Headquartered in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with manufacturing in West Virginia, R&D in California, and operations support in Missouri, the company is scaling production capacity fivefold from 200 to 1,000 metric tons annually through a $23.4 million Defense Production Act Title III grant, a $27.4 million EXIM loan, and IPO proceeds. It holds ITAR registration, ISO 9001:2015 certification, and EcoVadis sustainability certification, and is positioned by U.S. policy as a domestic source for critical minerals used in defense and aerospace supply chains.

Name

6K Additive

Legal name

6K Additive, Inc.

Website

https://6kadditive.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

6K Additive manufactures spherical metal powders for additive manufacturing using proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology applied to sustainable feedstocks, serving aerospace, defense, medical, energy, and space OEMs and government customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Powders for Additive Manufacturing

NAICS

Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (331410)

SIC

Secondary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3341)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Powders (LPBF/DMLS/EBM) (IMAAABAE)

Keywords

• Spherical metal powders
• Additive manufacturing materials
• Nickel titanium alloys
• Refractory metal powders
• Sustainable powder production

Headquarters

HQ city

Burgettstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Powder Sales: Sale of spherical metal powders (nickel alloys, titanium alloys, tungsten) produced via UniMelt technology for additive manufacturing applications
2. Alloy Additive Products: Specialty alloy additives for metal powder enhancement and modification
3. Powder Recycling Services: Processing of customer manufacturing revert material into reusable spherical powder through closed-loop upcycling partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

6K Additive manufactures high-performance spherical and angular metal powders for additive manufacturing using its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma process. The portfolio covers nickel superalloys (Nickel 718, Nickel 625), titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V), stainless steel (SS316L), copper alloys, and refractory metals (tungsten, niobium C103, tantalum, rhenium, molybdenum). The company also produces alloy additions (titanium and zirconium compacts), pre-melt ingots, and operates a buyback/recycling program that converts customer manufacturing revert into production-ready spherical powder.

Product overview

6K Additive operates as a specialized metal powder manufacturer for additive manufacturing, offering a comprehensive portfolio of spherical and angular metal powders produced via the proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma process. The product portfolio encompasses nickel superalloys (Nickel 718, Nickel 625), titanium alloys (Titanium-64), stainless steel (SS316L), copper alloys, and refractory metals (Tungsten, Niobium C103, Tantalum, Rhenium, Molybdenum). Supporting product lines include Alloy Additions (titanium and zirconium compacts) and Pre-Melt Ingots. The UniMelt technology platform serves as the core production foundation enabling the company's powder product line.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spherical Metal Powder High-performance spherical metal powders produced using the proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma process for additive manufacturing applications in aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial sectors. Portfolio spans nickel superalloys (Nickel 718, Nickel 625), titanium alloys (Titanium-64), stainless steel (SS316L), copper alloys, and refractory metals (Tungsten, Niobium C103, Tantalum, Rhenium, Molybdenum). Powders are made from sustainable domestic feedstocks including revert and scrap material.
• Angular Metal Powder Angular metal powder with the lowest residual content (including iron) in the industry, produced via an ultra-clean manufacturing process for industrial applications requiring specific powder morphology characteristics.
• Alloy Additions Titanium and zirconium compacts for alloying applications in additive manufacturing and specialty metal production. Fully sustainable with 100% recycled materials, offered at low cost relative to alternatives.
• Pre-Melt Ingots Pre-melted metal ingots produced using the UniMelt process for use as raw material in powder production and foundry applications, including critical applications such as hypersonics and military defense systems.
• Metal Powder Buyback and Recycling Program Closed-loop buyback and recycling service that converts customer manufacturing revert material and used powder into production-ready spherical powder for additive manufacturing, enabling circular supply chain partnerships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Production capacity expansion from 200 to 1,000 metric tons
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Siemens EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term supply agreement for nickel alloy powder recycling. Siemens Energy supplies revert material which 6K Additive processes into production-ready spherical powder through its UniMelt technology.
• AGF DefcomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred supplier for metal powder for 3D printed suppressors with closed-loop upcycling. 6K Additive supplies powder while AGF Defcom provides manufacturing expertise for defense applications.
• Cumberland AdditivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term supply agreement for Ni718 powder for aerospace applications. 6K Additive provides consistent high-quality nickel alloy powder from its manufacturing facilities.
• Surgical Metal RecyclingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for circular sustainable supply chain for medical implants. Enables closed-loop recycling of medical device manufacturing materials.
• Z3DLabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for manufacturing high-performance titanium powders for medical and aerospace applications. Joint development of specialty powder formulations.
• Wayland AdditivecoreTechnology or IntegrationQualification of tungsten powder for NeuBeam technology. 6K Additive supplies tungsten powder optimized for Wayland's electron beam additive manufacturing systems.
• 3D SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred supplier of tungsten powder for DMP (Direct Metal Printing) printers. 6K Additive provides specialized tungsten powder for 3D Systems' metal printing platforms.
• Agile Space IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for superalloy 3D printing for lunar propulsion components. Joint development of materials for space applications.
• Incodema3DcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustomer relationship for sustainable nickel 625 powders. Incodema3D utilizes 6K Additive's sustainable metal powders for aerospace manufacturing.
• EOScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project for sustainable additive manufacturing. Collaboration on developing sustainable powder production and usage practices for EOS systems.
• RTX CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOSAM (Principles of Sustainable Additive Manufacturing) project for sustainable additive manufacturing in aerospace. Major strategic partnership for defense and aerospace applications.
• TRUMPFcoreTechnology or IntegrationQualified titanium powder for TruPrint systems. 6K Additive's titanium powders validated for use in TRUMPF's laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing systems.
• America MakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple project partnerships through the additive manufacturing industry consortium. Collaborative R&D initiatives for advancing AM technology and standards.
• Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)flagshipOthersGovernment partner for defense manufacturing supply chain. Strategic supplier status enabling participation in defense procurement programs.
• Department of War/DoDflagshipOthersStrategic supplier designation for Department of Defense. Enables direct participation in defense manufacturing programs and contracts.
• US Army DEVCOMflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command partnership for defense additive manufacturing research and development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carpenter Technology (Carpenter Additive): US-based specialty alloys producer with a Carpenter Additive division that produces titanium, nickel, and refractory metal powders for AM via atomization. Directly comparable to 6K as a premium metal powder supplier serving aerospace, defense, and medical OEMs with overlapping nickel and titanium SKUs.
• Sandvik (Sandvik Additive Manufacturing / Osprey): Sandvik's Osprey-brand metal powders cover nickel, titanium, stainless, and refractory alloys for AM, marketed through its additive manufacturing division. Closest large-scale peer to 6K in breadth of alloy portfolio and aerospace/industrial customer base.
• Höganäs AB: Privately held Swedish metal powder giant producing iron, stainless, and specialty alloy powders including for additive manufacturing under its Surface & AM concepts. Directly comparable to 6K as a high-volume, broad-portfolio metal powder manufacturer serving similar industrial end markets.
• AP&C (a 5N Plus company): AP&C produces premium titanium and reactive metal powders for AM and biomedical implants via plasma atomization, now owned by 5N Plus. Directly comparable to 6K in plasma-based titanium powder production and aerospace/medical customer overlap.
• Pyrogenesis Canada: Pyrogenesis offers plasma-based metal powder production (including titanium) and on-site DROSRU powder recovery for AM. Comparable to 6K as a plasma-process powder producer with overlap in titanium and refractory powders for aerospace/defense.

Emerging players

• Metalysis: UK-based Metalysis produces metal powders (titanium, tantalum) via a proprietary electrolytic process direct from oxide feedstocks. Comparable as an alternative low-cost, sustainable powder-production route to 6K's UniMelt plasma process.
• Velo3D: US maker of metal AM printers qualified on aerospace parts that consumes third-party metal powders. Comparable as a US-based AM ecosystem participant serving overlapping aerospace/defense primes, though as an equipment OEM rather than a powder producer.

Broad incumbents

• Kennametal: US tungsten carbide and hard metals leader that also produces metal powders and wear components. Comparable as a broad metallurgical incumbent with powder manufacturing capability and aerospace/industrial customer overlap (notably, 6K's CCO Nicholas Pflugh came from Kennametal).
• Oerlikon (Oerlikon Balzers / surface solutions): Swiss surface solutions and AM services group offering metal powders, coating equipment, and contract AM production. Comparable as a broader industrial materials and services incumbent with AM metal powder exposure.
• Element Solutions (Element Solutions / former Praxair ST): Specialty chemicals platform whose surface treatments business (originating from Praxair Surface Technologies) supplies thermal spray powders and AM powder feedstocks to aerospace and industrial customers. Adjacent comparable to 6K as a diversified industrial powders platform with aerospace exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/nc0kNjk7kaw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/6k-additive

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about 6K Additive