Logistical resilience is more critical than the availability of raw materials for supply chain security. The distance between production and consumption is the greatest risk. Strategic reserves of materials such as tungsten and production localization reduce the risk of downtime and ensure continuity for supply chains.

Metal Powder Works and Westinghouse scale up metal powder production for nuclear in three months with DirectPowder solid-state technology, which eliminates melting, reducing impurities by 30% and bringing materials to the TRL required for high-responsibility components.

The AddMamBa project transforms steel scrap into metal powder to print high-performance building components with 3D laser technology. Concrete circular economy to reduce emissions, consumption, and waste in the construction sector.

Breathable steel is a microporous material that allows gases to escape during injection molding, eliminating defects and voids without compromising mechanical strength. It is produced via metal 3D printing with foaming agents.

AI in industrial automation requires rethinking the entire production flow. Real value emerges when artificial intelligence operates along the entire chain, overcoming the limited approach to single machines and local optimizations in additive manufacturing.

LEAP 71 compares a classic nozzle and an aerospike of 20 kN in CuCrZr: the first is stable and efficient beyond 93%, the second at 50 bar but with startup criticalities. Mature nozzle for immediate missions, promising aerospike for multi-regime efficiency and reusable launches.

Metals and ceramics in industrial 3D printing are complementary, not alternative. The competitive advantage comes from structured workflows, replicable case studies, and targeted training. To scale, standardized processes and a clear integration plan are needed.

Containerized production combines additive and subtractive technologies in ruggedized containers for remote and defensive contexts. Cases like Farsoon-Addimax and Snowbird-Meltio demonstrate flexibility, autonomy, and reduced dependence on the supply chain, with local support and standard materials.

Additive manufacturing in the APAC region is now a production infrastructure. TCT Asia 2026 confirms the overcoming of the experimental phase: the market competes on reliable workflows, industrial integration, and operational costs, shifting the focus from prototyping to mass production.

The Metal AM market in 2026 exceeds 6 billion with a decisive turning point: for the first time, data include defense and maritime, revealing hidden dynamics. Solid growth, a data-driven approach based on real data, and consolidation towards specialized applications will guide winning strategies.

HyCAT, a Pentagon program, accelerates hypersonic aerodynamic testing with dedicated vehicles and commercial launchers, reducing time and costs.

The cost reduction of key components such as lasers and light engines is democratizing additive manufacturing, allowing access to metal 3D printers under $10,000. This change is redefining market dynamics, shifting the focus from hardware to services and adaptability to specific use cases. Modularity and standardization allow new realities to com