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North Carolina-based titanium developer IperionX has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Division of Protection (DoD) that might be price as much as $99 million.
Issued beneath the Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis (SBIR) program, the five-year settlement permits federal companies to position orders for low-cost, domestically produced titanium components utilizing the corporate’s patented manufacturing processes.
The contract is a part of the SBIR program’s third part which is designated for corporations transitioning from analysis to full-scale manufacturing. In contrast to earlier levels that fund exploratory and prototype work, Section III contracts are structured to assist deployment of applied sciences deemed prepared for presidency use. Underneath the phrases, the titanium developer will obtain process orders for particular tasks, starting with titanium fasteners supposed for protection functions.
In a press launch, IperionX’s CEO Anastasios (Taso) Arima mentioned, “Securing this Section III contract is a pivotal milestone for IperionX. It validates the efficiency of our applied sciences and underscores the Division of Protection’s dedication to reshore an all-American titanium provide chain. We stay up for delivering mission-critical parts which are lighter, stronger and cheaper whereas decreasing reliance on worldwide provide chains.”
Deal to assist US protection manufacturing
Manufacturing might be carried out at IperionX’s manufacturing facility in Virginia, which the corporate says will contribute to native employment and cut back the navy’s dependence on international titanium provide. The contract doesn’t assure the entire worth might be awarded, however units an higher restrict of $99 million for process orders which will embody components past fasteners, reminiscent of aerospace-grade parts.
The settlement was signed with the U.S. Military Analysis Laboratory (ARL), and took impact on Could 30. Whereas no fast supply schedule has been printed, the corporate expects work on the preliminary tasks to start inside months. Every process order issued beneath the contract might be disclosed individually as it’s awarded. The Pentagon reserves the proper to terminate the settlement partially or in full at any level.
The deal comes amid elevated federal curiosity in securing home sources of vital supplies. Extensively utilized in aerospace and protection for its strength-to-weight ratio, titanium is one such materials beneath scrutiny, particularly as geopolitical elements proceed to disrupt international provide chains. IperionX’s course of permits the manufacturing of titanium from each uncooked minerals and scrap, with a deal with decreasing environmental and vitality prices.
Alongside its manufacturing actions, IperionX operates the biggest Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)-compliant mining challenge within the US that comprises titanium and uncommon earth mineral sands. The corporate views its twin functionality in minerals and manufacturing as central to supporting protection, area, automotive, and vitality sectors within the US.
Reshoring provide chains of vital supplies in AM
Amid geopolitical turbulence, additive manufacturing is more and more used to safe provide chains, pushed additionally by the push for sustainability and greener manufacturing strategies.
Lately, metallic 3D printer producer Velo3D entered a five-year unique provide settlement with Australian metallic AM specialist Amaero, projected to generate roughly $22 million. Underneath the deal, Amaero will provide niobium C103 and different refractory alloy powders solely, and function Velo3D’s most popular provider for titanium powders.
The settlement consists of growth of unique print parameters bundled with Sapphire printer licenses at no further price. Velo3D will use these powders throughout its half manufacturing packages, together with Fast Manufacturing Options. Whereas titanium performs a key function, the broader focus is reshoring the U.S. provide chain for vital metallic powders utilized in AM. Moreover, the Australian specialist is investing A$72 million by means of FY2026 to scale home manufacturing and handle provide chain vulnerabilities.
Late in 2023, Additive Manufacturing Options (AMS) introduced partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Tools Gross sales Authority (DESA) to evaluate the feasibility of recovering vital supplies like titanium from surplus Defence Belongings. This marked the primary part of a broader initiative aimed toward strengthening the UK’s materials sourcing methods and advancing sustainable, UK-based provide chains.
Recognized for its deal with recycled AM feedstocks, AMS carried out functionality assessments together with atomisation trials and additive manufacturing feasibility research. Working alongside a MoD provider, the corporate aimed to ship demonstrative components utilizing recycled supplies, laying the groundwork for future industrialization and qualification of recovered feedstock in alignment with the MoD’s round financial system targets.
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Featured picture exhibits IperionX’s Titanium Manufacturing Campus in Virginia. Picture through IperionX.
