6K Additive Reports Record Quarter Amidst Growing Demand for US-Made Metal Powders

6K Additive has announced a record-breaking second quarter for 2026, with total revenue reaching $7.1 million. This represents a 63% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The company's order backlog also expanded to $11.9 million, reflecting escalating customer demand. This surge is largely attributed to a growing preference for metal powders manufactured within the United States, a trend driven by a broader industry push towards more resilient supply chains and reduced reliance on overseas suppliers.

The company, based in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, specializes in producing metal powders for additive manufacturing and alloy products. Their material portfolio includes titanium, nickel, copper, tungsten, tantalum, rhenium, niobium, and C-103 powders. A key aspect of 6K Additive's process is its ability to recycle certified machining scrap, used AM powder, support material, and failed builds into new powder feedstock using its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma technology.

During the second quarter, 6K Additive's powder business saw substantial growth, with powder revenue climbing to $5 million, a 25% increase from the prior quarter and a 63% rise year-over-year. This growth was fueled by demand from defense contractors, aerospace firms, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and contract manufacturers. Titanium powder sales were particularly strong, increasing by 67% from the previous quarter and nearly tripling compared to Q2 2025. Demand for refractory powders like tungsten, niobium, and tantalum alloys also rose significantly as more customer qualification programs transitioned into production.

The company is experiencing demand that now exceeds its current production capacity. Repeat customers accounted for over 90% of sales, indicating a growing adoption of additive manufacturing for production rather than just prototyping. 6K Additive is actively addressing this by expanding its manufacturing campus in Burgettstown, supported by a $23.4 million Defense Production Act Title III award. This expansion is projected to increase annual production capacity from approximately 1,600 metric tons to over 6,000 metric tons across all product lines, with initial operations expected to commence before the end of 2026.

Further bolstering its domestic production capabilities, 6K Additive received an additional $1.9 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract from the Defense Logistics Agency in April. This 18-month program, with a total value of $3.9 million, supports the domestic manufacturing of critical powders including titanium, tungsten, niobium, and nickel for defense and industrial applications.