Metal Powder Works

What Metal Powder Works does

Metal Powder Works Limited (ASX:MPW) is a specialty materials company that produces high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing, cold spray, powder metallurgy, and thermal spray applications. Founded in 2017 by aerospace and defense veterans John Barnes (CEO) and Chris Aldridge (CTO), the company developed and patented the DirectPowder™ process — a room-temperature, solid-state mechanical process that converts metal bar stock into powder without melting. The process is differentiated by >95% yield of desired particle size distribution versus 20-50% for conventional atomization, maintenance of bar-stock microstructure and temper, elimination of contamination from inert gas or evaporative losses, and up to 90% reduction in CO2 emissions. MPW's product portfolio spans more than 20 unique alloys across aluminum (e.g., 6061, 7075, 7050), copper (OFHC, CuNi 70/30, CuCrZr, naval brass), and specialty alloys (CP-Ti, Zircaloy-4, Silver, Kirksite), supported by a six-machine production fleet at its Pittsburgh (Neighborhood 91) global headquarters, with Australian registered offices in Perth and a US business office in Clinton, Pennsylvania.

The company sells through direct quote-based sales to defense, aerospace, nuclear, naval, automotive, and medical customers, complemented by Powder Partnership Agreements (Austal USA, Centreline, Jet Metals, Titomic, 6K Additive, Solvus Global) and Developer Network placements of DirectPowder systems. Hardware revenue comes from containerized Expeditionary DirectPowder systems designed for austere-environment deployment (an approximately A$1M unit sold to the US Naval Postgraduate School). MPW listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in February 2025 via a reverse merger with K-TIG Advanced Welding Systems, raising A$10 million. Named enterprise and government customers include Westinghouse Electric, US Navy, UK Ministry of Defence, Austal USA, HAMR Industries, Jet Metals, Centreline, Solvus Global, and the University of Pittsburgh. The company reported a A$6.2M loss in its latest financial year and is investing in capacity scaling toward 800MT installed capacity by 2028. Recognition includes 2024 Material Company of the Year (3D Printing Industry Awards) and the 2025 AM Industry Achievement Award from SME's Additive Manufacturing Technical Community.

Name

Metal Powder Works

Legal name

Metal Powder Works Limited

Website

https://metalpowderworks.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Metal Powder Works produces high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing using its patented DirectPowder™ solid-state process, serving defense, aerospace, nuclear, naval, and automotive customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Powder Production for Additive Manufacturing

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (3335), Primary Metal Manufacturing (331)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540), Miscellaneous Primary Metal Products (3390)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAAABAE

Metal Powders (LPBF/DMLS/EBM)

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

Keywords

• Metal powder production
• Additive manufacturing materials
• Cold spray powders
• Powder metallurgy alloys
• Direct powder process

Headquarters

HQ city

Clinton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Metal Powder Sales: Direct sales of metal powders to customers across aluminum alloys, copper alloys, and specialty alloys (CP-Ti, Zircaloy). Powders sold for additive manufacturing, cold spray, powder metallurgy, and thermal spray applications. Custom alloy development available.
2. Expeditionary DirectPowder Systems: Sale of containerized, mobile DirectPowder production systems for remote/austere environment deployment. Approximately $1M AUD contract with US Naval Postgraduate School for expeditionary system.
3. Powder Partnership Agreements: Strategic partnerships with minimum annual volumes, pricing, and lead times. Includes commercial offtake agreements with partners like Austal USA upon successful development completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Metal Powder Works produces metal powders for additive manufacturing, cold spray, and powder metallurgy using its patented DirectPowder™ process — a room-temperature, solid-state mechanical conversion of metal bar stock into powder without melting. The company sells a portfolio of 25+ alloy powders (aluminum, copper, specialty) plus containerized Expeditionary DirectPowder systems for remote deployment, targeting defense, aerospace, naval, nuclear, and automotive customers.

Product overview

Metal Powder Works is a specialty materials company that produces high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy applications. The core offering is the DirectPowder™ System, a patented room-temperature solid-state process that converts metal bar stock into powder without melting. The company offers an extensive powder portfolio exceeding 25 materials across three main product lines: Aluminum Alloys (Al-Sc, 6061, 7050, 5083, 7075, 4032, 7A76, 2219, 2024), Copper Alloys (OFHC Cu, C14500, C18150, C72900, C63000, C71500, C90300, C86300, C95400, C96400, C46400, C70600), and Specialty Alloys (CP-Ti, Zircaloy-4, Silver, Kirksite). The company also offers an Expeditionary containerized version of the DirectPowder system for remote operations and has developed NextGen production machines achieving 100MT annual capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DirectPowder™ System Patented, room-temperature solid-state mechanical process that converts metal bar stock into high-quality metal powder feedstock for additive manufacturing without melting. Achieves >95% yield of desired particle size distribution, maintains the microstructure and mechanical properties of bar stock, and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to atomization.
• Aluminum Alloy Powders High-strength aluminum alloy powders including Al-Sc, 6061, 7050, 5083, 7075, 4032, 7A76, 2219, and 2024 produced via DirectPowder™ for additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy applications.
• Copper Alloy Powders Copper and copper alloy powders including OFHC Cu, C14500, C18150 CuCrZr, C72900 CuNi15Sn8, C63000 NAB, C71500 CuNi 70/30, C90300 Navy G, C86300 Mn Bronze, C95400 Al Bronze, C96400 CuNi 70/30, C46400 Naval Brass, and C70600 CuNi 90/10 produced via DirectPowder™ for AM, cold spray, and naval applications.
• Specialty Alloy Powders Specialty alloy powders including CP-Ti (commercially pure titanium), Zircaloy-4, Silver, and Kirksite ZnAl4Cu3 for nuclear, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing applications.
• Expeditionary DirectPowder System Mobile, containerized version of the DirectPowder system designed for rapid deployment in remote, austere, or contested environments. Enables on-site production of high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing and cold spray operations without reliance on land-based supply chains.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to atomization
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Westinghouse Electric CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Multi-year product development collaboration focused on nuclear additive manufacturing powder production. Building on successful results from previous phases, the partnership uses MPW's patented DirectPowder process to produce specialty alloys (CP-Ti, Zircaloy) for nuclear applications. Reflects Westinghouse's continued confidence in MPW's powder production technology.
• Additive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026UK-based parts manufacturer collaborating with MPW on Project TAMPA for titanium component production using Laser Powder Bed Fusion technology. Collaboration between UK MOD and US Department of Defense.
• UK Ministry of Defence (Project TAMPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026MPW selected as US-based production node within UK MOD's strategic defence additive manufacturing supply network under Project TAMPA. Purchase order for titanium component manufactured via LPBF using MPW's in-house powder production. First engagement with NATO defence programme, validating DirectPowder titanium capability for defence-grade applications.
• Centreline (Windsor) LimitedflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Powder Partner agreement to collaboratively develop advanced metal powder materials for cold spray automotive tooling solutions using Kirksite (zinc-aluminum) alloy. Partnership combines MPW's DirectPowder engineered metal powder capabilities with CentreLine's Supersonic Spray Technologies platform. Driven by automotive customer demand for cold spray tooling repair.
• Austal USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025Powder Partnership Agreement to co-develop specialized metal powders for additive manufacturing programs at the US Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia. MPW leverages DirectPowder Process to create custom CuNi alloy powders meeting stringent US Navy specifications. Upon successful completion, intends to negotiate commercial offtake agreement covering minimum annual volumes, pricing, and lead times.
• Jet MetalsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2025Powder Partnership to evaluate MPW copper-based powders for sintered parts market 'add-mix' applications. Jet Metals will test MPW powders to address constrained copper powder supply chain across the industry.
• HAMR IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025Existing Powder Production Partner that independently validated MPW's CP-Ti powder against MMPDS handbook values for cold spray applications. Validation confirms powder performs on par with or better than conventional wrought titanium at fraction of cost.
• Titomic LimitedflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025Strategic collaboration to integrate MPW's DirectPowder technology in Titomic's Titomic Kinetic Fusion cold spray systems. Joint material testing, performance evaluations, and process optimizations. Upon successful outcomes, companies will negotiate offtake agreement for commercial supply arrangements.
• University of PittsburghminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2024Research collaboration exploring use of MPW copper powder in binder jet 3D printing. Project funded by Manufacturing PA Program, combining MPW's powder production capabilities with University's AM facilities and characterization expertise.
• Solvus GlobalflagshipTechnology or Integration · 14 December 2023Strategic alliance in development of new materials for AM industry. Solvus Global acquired first DirectPowder system placed outside MPW's Pittsburgh production facility.
• 6K AdditiveflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2023Strategic partnership announced at Formnext to produce pure copper, copper alloys, and strategically important powders such as copper/nickel and bronze alloy powders for additive manufacturing. Leverages both organizations' sustainable production technologies - MPW's DirectPowder Process and 6K Additive's UniMelt microwave plasma system.
• Solvus Global (Powders on Demand)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2023Strategic alliance for development of new materials with Solvus Global acquiring first DirectPowder system outside MPW's facility. Solvus Global and Powders on Demand joined MPW's Developer Network enabling industry-leading startups to combine resources for accelerated powder production. Partnership addresses gap between 16 AMS powder specs vs 2,000+ bar stock specs available.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• 6K Additive: 6K Additive produces metal powders for additive manufacturing using its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma process. It is both a direct competitor and a strategic partner of MPW, supplying a similar alloy portfolio for AM and competing on powder quality, yield, and sustainability claims.
• Continuum Powyers (formerly MolyWorks): Continuum Powders produces recycled metal powders for AM and other applications, offering a sustainability-focused, on-demand powder alternative. It directly competes with MPW on small-batch, on-demand, sustainable metal powder supply and is a relevant comp because MPW's new VP of Commercial Operations, Greg Bartley, joined from Continuum.

Broad incumbents

• Höganäs: Höganäs is the world's largest producer of metal powders, serving additive manufacturing, press-and-sinter, brazing, and surface coating applications. It is the dominant incumbent MPW is trying to disrupt with a different process architecture and a more focused specialty alloy / AM portfolio.
• Carpenter Technology (Carpenter Additive): Carpenter Technology is a major US-based specialty alloys producer with a dedicated Carpenter Additive division producing premium metal powders for AM. It overlaps with MPW on aerospace, defense, and medical titanium powder supply but at much larger scale.
• Sandvik Additive Manufacturing: Sandvik's additive manufacturing division (incorporating Osprey powders) produces a broad range of gas-atomized metal powders for AM and supplies industries including aerospace, medical, and automotive. It competes with MPW on alloy breadth, scale, and qualification in regulated end markets.
• AP&C (Colibrium Additive, a GE Aerospace company): AP&C (now part of Colibrium Additive) is a leading producer of plasma-atomized titanium powders for aerospace and medical AM. It directly competes with MPW on CP-Ti powder for additive manufacturing at significantly larger production scale.
• Oerlikon AM: Oerlikon's additive manufacturing business produces a wide range of metal powders (nickel, titanium, aluminum, cobalt-chrome) for aerospace, medical, and industrial AM. It is a broad incumbent comparable to MPW across multiple alloy families and end markets.

Emerging players

• Equispheres: Equispheres specializes in high-performance aluminum powders for binder jetting and laser-based AM, targeting aerospace and automotive applications. It is an emerging direct competitor to MPW's aluminum powder line with a different atomization-based process and overlapping customer segments.
• PyroGenesis: PyroGenesis produces plasma-atomized titanium and other reactive metal powders for AM and aerospace/defense applications. It competes with MPW on high-purity titanium and specialty alloy powders and on defense/AM positioning.
• Elementum 3D: Elementum 3D produces reactive metal and ceramic-reinforced metal powders for AM, with a focus on aluminum and other traditionally difficult-to-process alloys. It competes with MPW on high-performance aluminum and specialty alloy powders for aerospace, automotive, and defense applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metal-powder-works

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Metal Powder Works