3D Printing & Additive — 2026-08-31
The additive manufacturing sector saw significant developments in aerospace and defense applications, with 6K Additive reporting a sales surge driven by metal powder demand and the US military successfully testing at-sea metal 3D printing during RIMPAC 2026. Meanwhile, Formnext Asia Shenzhen highlighted China's mature AM supply chain, and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was selected to develop corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys for next-generation aerospace components.
3D Printing & Additive — 2026-08-31
Key Highlights
6K Additive Reports Sales Surge on Aerospace Demand 6K Additive (ASX: 6KA) reported rapid growth in the first half of 2026, driven primarily by increased demand for its metal powders from aerospace and defense customers. The newly public company has seen its sales rise significantly as industrial adoption of additive manufacturing in critical sectors accelerates.
First At-Sea Metal 3D Printing Test Completed A US joint-branch effort deployed a SPEE3D cold spray metal printing system aboard the Canadian support vessel MV Asterix during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise. This marked the first at-sea use of the technology, examining whether mission-critical replacement parts could be manufactured at the point of need rather than relying on traditional supply chains.
General Atomics Wins Aerospace Alloy Project America Makes announced General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) as the winner of its GOTHAAM Project Call. GA-ASI will collaborate with team partners to develop and deliver an aerospace-grade, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy intended for applications in both commercial and defense sectors.
Formnext Asia Shenzhen Showcases Mature AM Stack At Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2026, Hall 15 demonstrated that China has built a comprehensive additive manufacturing stack. The exhibition featured everything from consumer toys and figurines to thousand-machine production farms, with green-laser companies displaying copper cold plates for high-performance thermal management.
Analysis
The most exciting development this week is the successful integration of cold spray metal printing into naval operations during RIMPAC 2026. While 3D printing has long been touted for its potential to revolutionize supply chains, the deployment of SPEE3D’s technology on the MV Asterix moves this from theoretical capability to practical, field-tested reality. The ability to manufacture aluminum bronze hatch knobs and other critical parts at sea reduces logistical burdens and increases operational resilience. This aligns with the broader trend seen in 6K Additive’s financial results, where defense and aerospace are no longer just early adopters but primary drivers of market growth for specialized metal powders.
What to Watch
- Advanced Materials Market Growth: Recent reports indicate that opportunities in the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Market (2026-2030) will be heavily driven by EVs, aerospace, and smart factories, with a specific focus on lightweight composites and additive manufacturing.
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