6K Additive Doubles US Defense Contract to Boost Domestic Critical Metals Supply

Contract Expansion Highlights Strategic Metals Independence

6K Additive (ASX:6KA) has doubled the value of its U.S. Department of Defense Phase II contract to US$3.9 million, extending the project timeline to 18 months. This contract modification builds on the initial US$1.95 million award announced in March, underscoring the U.S. government's commitment to reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical metals like tungsten and niobium (C-103).

The expanded contract focuses on recovering and recycling these strategic metals from domestic scrap, including existing Department of Defense stockpiles. Tungsten and niobium are vital for hypersonic propulsion and advanced weapons systems, but the U.S. currently faces significant supply vulnerabilities: China controls over 80% of global tungsten production, while the U.S. is entirely dependent on imports of niobium, mainly from Brazil and Canada.

Proprietary Technology Drives Recycling and Production

At the heart of 6K Additive’s approach is its patented UniMelt® microwave plasma system, the only production-scale microwave plasma technology of its kind globally. This system enables near 100% yield in converting solid scrap into premium spherical metal powders suitable for additive manufacturing. The company’s process includes strategic sizing of scrap material and advanced post-processing to ensure the powders meet stringent defense standards.

CEO Frank Roberts emphasised the national security implications: "Advancing U.S. defense readiness requires eliminating dependence on geopolitically sensitive sources like China for critical materials like tungsten and C-103. By scaling the upcycling of domestic scrap for these materials, we are building a secure, resilient, and sustainable supply chain to support mission-critical defense programs, including hypersonics."

Scaling Production Amid Broader Expansion Plans

This contract extension dovetails with 6K Additive’s recent announcement of a $47 million expansion at its Burgettstown, Pennsylvania facility, which aims to quintuple metal powder production capacity by the end of 2026. That expansion is backed by a $23.4 million U.S. Defense Production Act grant and $31.4 million raised through its ASX IPO, positioning the company to meet rising demand for advanced metal powders across defense and aerospace sectors.

The synergy between the contract and the production scale-up highlights 6K Additive’s strategic positioning to become a key domestic supplier of critical materials. The company’s ability to reclaim and recycle metals from U.S. defense scrap aligns with broader government efforts to shore up supply chains against geopolitical disruptions.

6K Additive has previously secured contracts and orders that validate its technology and market potential, including a $1.1 million Nickel 718 powder order from a major OEM, reinforcing its foothold in additive manufacturing markets.