MPW Signs Powder Partnership with Jet Metals To Evaluate Copper Based Powders for the Sintered Parts Market
Partnership marks another significant milestone in MPW’s powder metallurgy market segment.
HIGHLIGHTS
MPW signs a Powder Partner Program (PPP) with Jet Metals to evaluate copper alloy powders C10100 and C14500 for the press-and-sinter market
MPW’s first PPP agreement in the Press & Sinter (P&S) market comes from reinvigorated sales team focus on the powder metallurgy market segment
Target application: copper “add-mix” for iron-based Press & Sinter structural components
The United States Press & Sinter powder metallurgy industry consumed approximately 8,600 tonnes of copper powder in 2024
The Press & Sinter market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.70% through 2034
This agreement marks another significant milestone advancing towards impacting the USD 5.5B Powder Met market segment
Copper powder globally is a USD 1.5B market
Metal Powder Works (ASX: MPW) (“the Company or “MPW”), a strategic materials company, today announced that it has entered into a Powder Partner Program (PPP) agreement with Jet Metals Inc (“Jet Metals”), a leading powder blending and remill supplier in the US to the Press & Sinter industry. Under this partnership, Jet Metals will test MPW copper-based powders for “add-mix” applications. Add-mix powders are elemental powders that are blended into an iron or steel based powder to meet the final part composition, with copper being the most widely used addition. The availability of copper powders is constrained by supply chain restraints and delays across the industry, which MPW can resolve.
MPW’s DirectPowder™ process is of interest to the Press & Sinter market because MPW already makes alloys of interest and adds capacity and flexibility. Specifically, C10100 and C14500 copper powder alloys can be blended with iron to produce stronger, harder sintered steel parts. These parts can be high-volume structural components such as gears, sprockets, bearing caps, and oil-pump gears used in the automotive, industrial, and off-highway industries.The North American market for copper and copper-based powder for the powder metallurgy market was approximately 8,600 tonnes in 2024 (Source: MPIF, State of the PM Industry in North America). Press & Sinter accounted for more than 89% of the metal powder market by volume in 2024. This makes copper one of the most widely used powder additions in the Press & Sinter market, and a substantial, established source of demand that MPW is positioned to address.
Further, the global Copper Powder Market is estimated at USD 1.61 Billion for 2026. The market is projected to attain USD 2.67 Billion by 2035. The market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.76% over the period from 2026 to 2035 (Business Research Insights).
The significance of the Powder Partner Program with Jet Metals is that it provides a technical collaboration framework for a joint development pathway that, if successful, is expected to result in a commercial off take agreement. Jet Metals’ PPP is MPW’s first step into the press-and-sinter copper add-mix market; commercial supply is expected if the testing succeeds. MPW expects this work to be completed in 3-4 months and at the end of it to be negotiating an offtake with volumes of circa 40-60MT p.a at full ramp.
“Copper add-mix is a high-volume, everyday material in Press & Sinter, and Jet Metals is the right partner to put our powders to the test,” said John Barnes, Managing Director of Metal Powder Works.
This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Directors of Metal Powder Works Limited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
John Barnes, Managing Director, investors@metalpowderworks.com
Simon Hinsley, Investor/Media Relations, NWR Communications, +61 401 809 653, simon@nwrcommunications.com.au
Cynthia Rogers, Media (US), cynthia.rogers@metalpowderworks.com
ABOUT METAL POWDER WORKS
Metal Powder Works Limited’s (ASX:MPW) manufacturing base is in Pittsburgh, USA and specialises in the production of high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing and other advanced applications. MPW has developed a patented, non-thermal powder production process known as DirectPowder™. The MPW process represents the first true innovation in powder manufacturing in over 50 years. This innovative method converts premium bar stock into quality powder for a variety of materials and applications, significantly improving yield and affordability. MPW currently has 25+ powders in production including high strength aluminum, copper and copper nickel alloys, and specialty alloys including CP-Ti and Zircaloy. In 2024, Metal Powder Works was named as Material Company of the Year by the 3D Printing Industry Awards.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to Metal Powder Works Limited. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding its future performance, technology programmes, and commercial outcomes. These statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The Company gives no assurance that anticipated outcomes will occur. The Company is under no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Nothing in this announcement constitutes investment, legal, tax, or financial advice. Recipients should make their own enquiries and seek independent professional advice before making any investment decision.