Recycled metal powder for industrial 3D printers from Velo3D

Continuum Powders, a supplier of sustainable metal powder, announced that it is the first supplier of 100% recycled metal powder whose alloy is qualified for use in Velo3D‘s Sapphire family of printers.

This partnership provides Velo3D’s customers with a sustainable alternative to traditional metal powders while significantly contributing to their decarbonization and sustainability programs.

Following a rigorous qualification process conducted by Velo3D and its contract manufacturer Knust-Godwin, Continuum Powders’ OptiPowder 718 meets all the same requirements as conventional powders in the same alloy. OptiPowder 718 is based on the Ni 718 alloy and is commonly used in structural parts exposed to extreme operating temperatures and corrosive environments. It is characterized by an exceptional combination of strength, hardness and corrosion resistance, which makes it particularly attractive for aerospace applications.

“For customers who are sustainability-minded, or have company objectives to reduce their carbon footprint, utilizing metal powders that are sourced through carbon-neutral means can streamline their adoption of additive manufacturing technology,” stated Zach Detweiler, Velo3D vice president of technology.  “We’re pleased to offer Continuum as a powder option and have validated that OptiPowder 718 delivers the performance and quality customers require from their powder while also meeting their decarbonization and sustainability goals.”

“Velo3D’s endorsement of OptiPowder as the first sustainable metal powder for Sapphire printers highlights the significant benefits Continuum brings to the market. We didn’t just want to raise the bar, we wanted to recreate the bar from the ground up to make sustainability core to the additive manufacturing process,” stated Phil Ward, chief executive officer of Continuum Powders.  “Providing Velo3D’s customers with the first truly viable decarbonization option is a game changer for additive manufacturing—and the collaboration between Knust-Godwin, Velo3D and Continuum Powders is just the beginning.”

Continuum Powders is a company in the portfolio of Ara Partners, a private equity firm specializing in investments in industrial decarbonization.