PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (PyroGenesis), a manufacturer of plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, has taken its first order of additive manufacturing (AM) powders from an undisclosed multinational conglomerate.
The news follows the announcement of PyroGenesis’ completion of its first powder production system last month as it continues its AM ramp-up phase over the next four months. Though the customer’s name is being kept under wraps for competitive reasons, the order includes both titanium powder (Ti-6Al-4V) and Inconel and according to the company, further validates its strategic decision to enter into powder production.
P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis, commented: “This order is a sample order and is most significant in terms of timing and who the Client is, rather than the dollar value itself. The fact that a multinational conglomerate has taken the time to sample our powders before the ramp-up phase is complete is extremely noteworthy. We believe that the contract announced today is just one of many to come. We are very pleased with these developments which we believe underscore the interest in the marketplace for PyroGenesis’ products and unique expertise.”
The PyroGenesis’ System uses Plasma Atomization to make small, uniform, fully dense and spherical metal powders that flow like water, and which are highly sought after in the AM industry.
As the inventor of Plasma Atomization, the company first began producing powders using this technology for the biomedical industry between 2001-2004. In 2015, PyroGenesis invested approximately $2M in improving both the production rate and particle size distribution, which not only led to a patent pending, but also to PyroGenesis’ decision to re-enter the market and produce powders for the AM industry.
Along with this initial order, the company has also announced the signing of a number of agreements with potential AM players regarding the production of powders.
“These are very exciting times for PyroGenesis,” said Mr. Pascali. “These events seem to further validate our decision to enter the additive manufacturing industry, and although noteworthy, we caution concluding that anything of significance will happen quickly. Discussions take time and we are still in the early phases.”
Metal powders produced during PyroGenesis’ ramp-up phase are available for sale. The initial focus is on producing commercially pure Titanium (CP Ti) and Ti-6Al- 4V powders but the company is looking into other metal powders in response to industry demand.