6K

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.

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

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

• Metal powder production
• Battery cathode materials
• Advanced materials manufacturing
• Plasma powder processing
• Additive manufacturing powders

Headquarters

HQ city

North Andover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Titanium Alloy Additions: Sale of Ty-Gem titanium compacts and SMP tablets for aluminum melt industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AGF DEFCOMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2025Preferred supplier agreement for additive manufacturing powder used in suppressor production.
• EOScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for sustainable additive manufacturing project awarded $2.1M America Makes grant to analyze environmental benefits.
• RTX (Raytheon Technologies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024America 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 ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Research partner in America Makes EARTH project for powder and process optimization for sustainable additive manufacturing.
• Broder Metals GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Distribution partner for UK and Ireland covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
• Advance Metal PowdercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Distribution partner for India covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
• Infotron/PlastoselminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Distribution partner for Turkey covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
• Intelligent AMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Agent for Israel, UAE, and Saudi Arabia covering metal powder products for additive manufacturing.
• Siemens EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Long-term supply agreement for nickel-based alloys supporting circular economy in manufacturing.
• Incodema3DcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic 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 or Co-development PartnerStrategic supplier relationship qualifying 6K Additive's Nickel 718 powder for aerospace and defense applications. Achieved 2X reduction in powder porosity vs legacy data.
• Relativity SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop AM rocket parts for space from sustainable materials using 6K Additive powders.
• Agile Space IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for aerospace engineering and sustainable additive manufacturing. Development of Ni625 additive material for A2200 lunar lander engine with 6K Additive powder.
• CastheoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce world's first 3D printed High Entropy Alloy (HEA) part using 6K Additive's Onyx HEA1000 powder.
• TRUMPFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQualification partnership for 6K Additive's titanium sustainable powder on TruPrint systems for optimal process conditions and material properties.
• Seurat TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQualification of 6K Additive's 316L stainless steel powder for metal 3D printing, endorsing sustainable manufacturing.
• Aqua MetalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic 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 MakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple award programs for sustainable additive manufacturing including $2.1M grant project and PADAM project for powder optimization.
• Foresight ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLife 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrbehtjiy2-W_d70CzX6sHA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/6kinc
• Xx.com/6kInc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds15 records

Investors19 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 6K