The 3D printing materials industry is expected to change significantly, as numerous market research firms predict strong growth in the segment. That shake-up can already be felt as one of the leading manufacturers of metal 3D printing powders, LPW Technology, has been purchased by Carpenter Technology Corporation for $81 million.
LPW produces metal powders for directed energy deposition and powder bed fusion metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes, as well as non-3D printing-related manufacturing technologies. The UK-based company has seen significant development recently, including the launch of a £20 million powder facility this year, an investment from Stratasys last year, and numerous partnerships. The company recently said that it makes 600 tons of AM powder a year.
Carpenter is a producer and distributor of specialty alloys, such as titanium, nickel, cobalt and steel varieties. The company is involved in the AM space, as well, including a recent investment in AM service company CalRM and titanium powder maker Puris. It is also building an Emerging Technology Center in Athens, Ala.
Tony R. Thene, president and CEO of Carpenter, said of the acquisition in a press release, “Our aggressive development in key aspects of Additive Manufacturing (AM) demonstrates our commitment to build on our industry-leading position in this space. The acquisition combines LPW’s metal powder lifecycle management technology and processes with our technical expertise in producing highly engineered metal powders and additively manufactured components.”
As a leader in the metal AM powder space, LPW will clearly be a significant addition to Carpenter’s portfolio. In particular, LPW is known for its life-cycle management solutions, which gives the company the ability to monitor and trace powder throughout the production process.