Sandvik to provide direct filling of Additive Industries’ PLT metal powder hoppers
June 24, 2025
Sandvik AB and Additive Industries have announced a new metal powder supply partnership for the direct filling of Additive Industries’ Powder Load Tool (PLT), a powder hopper system designed for use with the company’s MetalFab Additive Manufacturing machines.
Initially supplying Osprey 718 nickel-based superalloy (IN718), Osprey 316L stainless steel and Osprey Ti-6Al-4V-ELI (Grade 23) titanium alloy, Sandvik will fill the PLT under controlled conditions at its Swedish production site, before transporting it to the customer for direct loading into MetalFab AM machines.
“As the leading developer and manufacturer of gas atomised metal powder for a wide range of advanced production technologies, we are happy to partner with Additive Industries to offer the market a state-of-the-art metal powder supply solution,” stated Andrew Coleman, VP Business Unit AM, Powder Solutions, Sandvik.
The partnership will allow users of Additive Industries’ PLT to have complete control of their powder feedstock materials, maintaining quality and helping ensure higher health and safety standards. It will result in MetalFab machine operators having little to no exposure to the metal powder at any point in the process chain.
Mark Massey, CEO of Additive Industries, added, “We recognise the critical nature of the powder feedstock in our systems, both from a quality and safety perspective, which is why the MetalFab is designed to minimise exposure of powder particles to oxygen, moisture and human contact. The PLT enables material to be packaged and maintained in inert conditions directly at the production source and transported direct to site in bulk quantities, avoiding the need for plastic containers, where it can be loaded directly into the MetalFab system.”
The PLT can contain up to 175 litres of metal powder, which, depending on the density, can translate to around 600 kg of steel powder. The system enables the automatic loading and unloading of powder into the the MetalFab machine, reducing operator workload and improving personnel safety. The PLTs are tested and approved for road, rail and sea transport, and help reduce single-use plastic.
“Further, it ensures that powder not in the MetalFab is constantly kept under inert conditions when connected, and can be loaded to the system at any point it is needed, including while the machine is printing. We are very pleased to announce Sandvik as our approved powder supply partner filling our PLTs and allowing MetalFab customers to improve their quality control, health and safety and factory workflow,” added Massey.
