Rising Demand Puts Pressure on MPW to Scale CP-Ti Powder Production

Strong Uptake in CP-Ti Powder

Metal Powder Works Limited (ASX, MPW) has revealed a marked increase in demand for its commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) powder, adding five new customers in the current December quarter alone. This growth underscores the market’s growing confidence in MPW’s patented DirectPowder™ process, which offers enhanced mechanical properties, improved flow behavior, and cost advantages over traditional powder manufacturing methods.

The company now serves eight active CP-Ti customers, many of whom are placing repeat orders and expanding their qualification programs to include additional alloys. Feedback from users highlights improved adhesion, reduced porosity, and greater process efficiency, factors that are critical in high-performance applications.

Strategic Defense Partnership Boosts Prospects

A standout development is a 150kg order valued at approximately USD 50,000 from Powders on Demand (POD), a division of Solvus Global specializing in cold spray technology for defense and aerospace. This order marks a significant milestone as POD advances into the final qualification stage for series production, with forecasted annual demand between 25,000 and 40,000 kilograms of CP-Ti powder. If fully realised, this could translate into USD 3-5 million in recurring sales, anchoring MPW’s revenue growth in the defense sector.

POD’s focus on Department of Defense contract requirements highlights the strategic importance of MPW’s supply chain security and material reliability. Cold spray technology, widely adopted by the U.S. military for component restoration, positions MPW as a key supplier in a critical market segment.

Broader Market and Technological Validation

Beyond defense, MPW is progressing qualification programs in aerospace and industrial filtration, including work with Toho Titanium’s WEBTi® porous titanium sheets. The porous sintered metal filter market alone is projected to grow to USD 2.5 billion by 2032, offering additional avenues for expansion.

MPW’s technology has also been independently validated by HAMR Industries LLC, confirming that its CP-Ti powder meets or exceeds industry standards for strength and performance. This validation supports MPW’s claim of delivering powders that rival conventional wrought titanium but with superior scalability and cost efficiency.

Outlook and Market Position

The company’s CEO, John E. Barnes, emphasised the accelerating commercial adoption of DirectPowder™ technology, noting the consistent positive customer feedback and expanding qualification pipeline. MPW’s ability to tailor production to customer specifications and offer a broad alloy range, over 20 powders compared to just one or two from competitors, strengthens its competitive edge.

With a forecasted annual demand of 300,000 to 600,000 kilograms of CP-Ti powder by 2028 and a global market projected to reach USD 4 billion by 2033, MPW is well positioned to capitalise on growing industrial and defense needs.