6K
6K Inc. is a sustainable advanced materials manufacturer using proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology to produce premium metal powders for additive manufacturing and cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries, serving aerospace, defense, battery, and medical customers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersNorth Andover, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What 6K does
6K Inc. is a US-based sustainable advanced materials manufacturer founded in 2015 as Amastan Technologies and headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts. The company is built around a proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology platform that operates at 6,000 degrees Celsius and produces engineered materials in under two seconds, versus two days for conventional processes. The platform achieves 99% microwave-to-plasma efficiency, near 100% yield, 50-90% cost reduction versus conventional methods, and 91-92% energy/carbon reduction for nickel powder production. It converts scrap metals, used powders, machine turnings, and end-of-life parts into high-value spherical powders and battery materials, and is capable of processing any metal, alloy, ceramic, oxide, or carbide across nanometers to microns.
6K operates through three business units. 6K Additive produces premium metal powders for additive manufacturing spanning nickel superalloys (Ni718, Ni625), titanium (Ti6Al4V), stainless steel (SS316L), copper (C18150), refractory metals (tungsten, niobium C103, tantalum, rhenium, molybdenum), and high-entropy alloys (HEA1000). 6K Energy produces cathode active materials (NMC811, LFP, NMC721) for lithium-ion batteries via the PlusCAM plant in Jackson, Tennessee and the Battery Center of Excellence in North Andover. 6K Next explores future applications including semiconductor CMP, lighting and display materials, specialty ceramics, advanced coatings, and nano-engineered powders. Manufacturing spans seven facilities in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington.
Revenue is generated through direct enterprise sales to defense, aerospace, battery, and medical customers, supplemented by an international distributor network covering UK, Ireland, India, Turkey, Israel, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Named customers include RTX Corporation, Siemens Energy, TRUMPF, Relativity Space, Honeywell Aerospace, NuVasive Medical, Incodema3D, Morf3D, Castheon, Agile Space Industries, and the US Department of War and Department of Energy. Pricing is custom-quotation-based with no public list pricing. The company has raised approximately $260M in equity across Series B through Series E between 2017 and 2024, supplemented by more than $100M in non-dilutive federal grants and loans from DOE, DPA Title III, EXIM Bank, DLA, and Massachusetts. In December 2025, the 6K Additive subsidiary completed an AUS$48M IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange at approximately AUS$267M market capitalization.
6K firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 6K
- Legal name
- 6K Inc.
- Website
- https://6kinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- 6K Inc. is a sustainable advanced materials manufacturer using proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology to produce premium metal powders for additive manufacturing and cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries, serving aerospace, defense, battery, and medical customers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
6K industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Materials Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Primary Metal Manufacturing (331), Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing (3314)
- SIC
- Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metal Powders (LPBF/DMLS/EBM) (IMAAABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Additive Manufacturing for Metals (Metal 3D Printers & Post-Processing) (IMAHADAG)
Keywords
Where 6K is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Andover
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
6K business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 6K Additive - Metal Powder Sales: Sale of premium spherical metal powders for additive manufacturing including nickel, titanium, copper, stainless steel, and refractory alloys produced from sustainable feedstock via UniMelt process.
- 6K Energy - Battery Material Sales: Production and sale of cathode active materials (NMC811, LFP) for lithium-ion batteries to automotive OEMs, battery cell producers, and energy storage companies.
- Titanium Alloy Additions: Sale of Ty-Gem titanium compacts and SMP tablets for aluminum melt industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quotation-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
6K product offering
Product offeringCore offering
6K manufactures premium spherical metal powders for additive manufacturing (nickel, titanium, copper, stainless steel, refractory alloys) and lithium-ion battery cathode active materials (NMC, LFP) using its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology. The process converts scrap metals, used powders, and machine turnings into high-purity materials in under 2 seconds at 50–90% lower cost and significantly reduced environmental impact versus conventional atomization.
Product overview
6K Inc. is a sustainable advanced materials company built around its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology platform, which enables production of critical materials in under 2 seconds with 50-90% lower cost and significantly reduced environmental impact. The company operates through three divisions: 6K Additive produces premium metal powders for additive manufacturing (including nickel superalloys Ni718/Ni625, titanium Ti6Al4V, stainless steel SS316L, copper C18150, and refractory metals like tungsten, niobium C103, tantalum, rhenium, and molybdenum) using sustainable feedstock; 6K Energy produces battery cathode active materials (NMC and LFP chemistries) through its PlusCAM plant and Battery Center of Excellence; and 6K Next focuses on future growth sectors. The company also offers titanium and zirconium alloy compacts for aluminum melting, powder rejuvenation services, and operates production facilities in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 6K Additive: Division specializing in premium metal powders for additive manufacturing produced from sustainable sources using UniMelt plasma technology
- 6K Energy
- 6K Next
Products and services
- Nickel Ni718 Powder
- Nickel Ni625 Powder
- Titanium Ti6Al4V Powder
- Copper C18150 Powder
- Stainless Steel SS316L Powder
- Tungsten W Powder
- Niobium C103 Powder
- Refractory Metal Powders
- HEA1000 High Entropy Alloy Powder
- Titanium and Zirconium Compacts
- Angular Metal Powder Ultra-clean angular metal powders including chromium and titanium with industry-lowest residual content (e.g., iron), produced using sustainable manufacturing processes.
- Powder Rejuvenation Service
- Battery Cathode Active Materials (NMC and LFP) Sustainable IRA-compliant lithium-ion battery cathode active materials including NMC and LFP chemistries produced via UniMelt plasma technology with over 50% lower carbon footprint than conventional methods.
- NMC721 Single-Crystal Cathode Powder Single-crystal NMC721 cathode powder for lithium-ion batteries developed via UniMelt plasma platform for advanced defense and energy storage applications.
- Onyx In718 Premium Nickel Alloy Powder Onyx In718 premium nickel alloy metal powder for additive manufacturing, the world's first premium AM powder derived from sustainable sources including certified machining turnings and recycled feedstock.
Quantifiable outcome
- 91% energy reduction and 92% carbon emission reduction for nickel powder production vs traditional processes
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use 6K
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
6K technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
6K partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- AGF DEFCOMminorPreferred supplier agreement for additive manufacturing powder used in suppressor production.
- EOScorePartnership for sustainable additive manufacturing project awarded $2.1M America Makes grant to analyze environmental benefits.
- RTX (Raytheon Technologies)coreAmerica Makes EARTH project collaboration for sustainable aerospace and defense additive manufacturing. RTX selected 6K Additive for sustainable powder converting revert into premium powder.
- University of ArizonacoreResearch partner in America Makes EARTH project for powder and process optimization for sustainable additive manufacturing.
- Broder Metals GroupcoreDistribution partner for UK and Ireland covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
- Advance Metal PowdercoreDistribution partner for India covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
- Infotron/PlastoselminorDistribution partner for Turkey covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
- Intelligent AMminorAgent for Israel, UAE, and Saudi Arabia covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
- Siemens EnergycoreLong-term supply agreement for nickel-based alloys supporting circular economy in manufacturing.
- Incodema3DcoreStrategic supplier relationship for metal powder supply and recycling as additive manufacturing production volumes increase. Incodema3D qualifies 6K Additive's nickel 625 powders for aerospace and defense.
- Morf3DcoreStrategic supplier relationship qualifying 6K Additive's Nickel 718 powder for aerospace and defense applications. Achieved 2X reduction in powder porosity vs legacy data.
- Relativity SpaceminorPartnership to develop AM rocket parts for space from sustainable materials using 6K Additive powders.
- Agile Space IndustriescoreStrategic partnership for aerospace engineering and sustainable additive manufacturing. Development of Ni625 additive material for A2200 lunar lander engine with 6K Additive powder.
- CastheoncorePartnership to produce world's first 3D printed High Entropy Alloy (HEA) part using 6K Additive's Onyx HEA1000 powder.
- TRUMPFcoreQualification partnership for 6K Additive's titanium sustainable powder on TruPrint systems for optimal process conditions and material properties.
- Seurat TechnologiescoreQualification of 6K Additive's 316L stainless steel powder for metal 3D printing, endorsing sustainable manufacturing.
- Aqua MetalscoreStrategic supply agreement to establish North America's first sustainable lithium battery supply chain, combining 6K's plasma production with Aqua Metals' Aqua Pura technology.
- America MakescoreMultiple award programs for sustainable additive manufacturing including $2.1M grant project and PADAM project for powder optimization.
- Foresight ManagementminorLife cycle assessment partnership providing third-party validation of environmental impacts for nickel and titanium powder production.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
6K competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sandvik (Osprey): Sandvik's Osprey metal powder business is the largest gas-atomized AM powder producer globally, offering nickel, titanium, and stainless steel powders. Directly competes with 6K Additive across aerospace and industrial AM powder markets, but uses conventional atomization rather than plasma.
- Höganäs: Swedish metal powder giant producing ferrous and non-ferrous powders for AM and PM applications. Dr. Sunil Badwe (6K's Chief Metallurgist) previously worked at Höganäs, underscoring direct technology and customer overlap with 6K Additive.
- Carpenter Technology: Carpenter Additive produces premium metal powders for AM and serves aerospace/defense customers with nickel and titanium alloys. Direct competitor to 6K Additive, particularly for qualification-grade Ni718, Ni625, and Ti6Al4V powders used by defense primes.
- AP&C (GE Additive): AP&C, a GE Additive company, is a leading plasma-atomized titanium and aluminum powder producer for aerospace and medical AM. Closest technology analog to 6K Additive, using plasma atomization (vs. 6K's microwave plasma spheroidization).
- Tekna (Artec SpA subsidiary): Tekna produces plasma-atomized metal powders for AM and other advanced applications, with materials overlapping 6K Additive's nickel, titanium, and refractory alloy offerings. Direct technology and product peer.
Emerging players
- Elementum 3D: Specialty AM materials company focused on metal matrix composites and refractory metal powders. Overlaps with 6K Additive's high-entropy alloy and advanced alloy portfolio but at a smaller scale.
- Nano One Materials: Canadian battery materials company developing low-cost, sustainable CAM (NMC, LFP) processes. Direct peer to 6K Energy targeting the same IRA-compliant domestic CAM opportunity.
- Mitra Chem: US-based developer of iron-based cathode materials and lithium-ion battery CAM. Emerges as a peer to 6K Energy's NMC and LFP CAM business targeting US onshoring and IRA incentives.
Broad incumbents
- Praxair Surface Technologies (Linde): Part of Linde, Praxair Surface Technologies produces thermal spray and AM powders at scale. Larger portfolio player with overlap in nickel and cobalt AM powders for aerospace and industrial markets.
- Umicore: Global materials technology and recycling group with a major cathode materials business. Broad incumbent in the CAM market where 6K Energy competes, with established automotive OEM relationships and a much larger production base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
6K social profiles
Digital presence6K compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
6K financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
6K leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
6K subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
6K funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds15 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
6K M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 6K
What does 6K do?
6K manufactures premium spherical metal powders for additive manufacturing (nickel, titanium, copper, stainless steel, refractory alloys) and lithium-ion battery cathode active materials (NMC, LFP) using its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology. The process converts scrap metals, used powders, and machine turnings into high-purity materials in under 2 seconds at 50–90% lower cost and significantly reduced environmental impact versus conventional atomization.
Is 6K a public or private company?
6K is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was 6K founded?
6K was founded in 2015. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is 6K based?
6K is headquartered in North Andover, United States, in the North America region.
How does 6K make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. 6K Additive - Metal Powder Sales are the primary driver. The others are 6K Energy - Battery Material Sales and titanium Alloy Additions.
Who are 6K's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sandvik (Osprey), Höganäs, Carpenter Technology, AP&C (GE Additive) and Tekna (Artec SpA subsidiary). Emerging players are Elementum 3D, Nano One Materials and Mitra Chem. Broad incumbents are Praxair Surface Technologies (Linde) and Umicore.
Does 6K have an API?
No public API is recorded for 6K.
What industry is 6K in?
6K's product category is Advanced Materials Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAABAE, Metal Powders (LPBF/DMLS/EBM), with a secondary code of IMAHADAG, Additive Manufacturing for Metals (Metal 3D Printers & Post-Processing). Its NAICS code is 331 and its SIC code is 3330.