CNPC POWER Completes 1,500-Ton Annual Additive Manufacturing Aluminum Alloy Powder Production Line, Enabling Scaled Supply for the 3D Printing Industry

Metal 3D printing powder manufacturer CNPC POWER is expanding its capacity, achieving large-scale supply capabilities.

On August 4, 2025, it was reported that CNPC POWER has completed construction of its fully automated additive manufacturing aluminum alloy powder production line cluster. With six new lines entering formal production in early September after commissioning, the company’s annual production capacity for LPBF-grade (20–63 μm) high-sphericity aluminum alloy powder will reach 1,500 tons—placing it among the industry leaders. This marks a significant upgrade in scale, automation, and sustainability for CNPC’s 3D printing metal powder operations.

High Quality, High Output, Lower Cost—Driving Large-Scale Applications

CNPC’s self-developed AMP atomization production line—optimized in process and layout—delivers significant improvements in powder quality and production efficiency compared with traditional gas atomization.

Key performance metrics of the powder are outstanding:

· High sphericity ≥ 92%

· Low oxygen content ≤ 350 ppm

· Bulk density ≥ 1.4 g/cm³

The powder features minimal satellite particles, excellent flowability, and compatibility with mainstream 3D printing systems—earning widespread recognition from additive manufacturing customers worldwide.

Each new production line exceeds 300 tons in annual capacity, with LPBF-grade yield (20–63 μm) increased to 60%. Across eight total lines, the company’s annual capacity reaches 2,500 tons, including 1,500 tons dedicated to LPBF powders. Scaling up production will further lower overall costs, shorten supply chain cycles for customers, and accelerate adoption of aluminum alloy powders in aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, and other industrial sectors.

Full Range of High-Performance Aluminum Alloys for Diverse Needs

The new lines will supply multiple categories of high-performance aluminum alloy powders, including:

· High-Strength Lightweight Series – Combining light weight and mechanical strength to meet the demands of aerospace structural components and lightweight parts for new energy vehicles. CNPC has also developed multiple low-cost, high-strength aluminum alloys with tensile strengths of 450–650 MPa.

· High-Thermal-Conductivity Series – Designed for heat dissipation in applications such as radiators and electronic packaging, with multiple alloys achieving thermal conductivity ≥ 180 W/m·K. These meet the rigorous thermal management needs of 5G base stations, high-power LEDs, and more.

· Licensed Scalmalloy® Production – Exclusive producer in China authorized by Airbus Group for Scalmalloy® high-strength aluminum alloy powder, with tensile strength ≥ 520 MPa, yield strength ≥ 490 MPa, and elongation ≥ 10%.

· Custom Alloy Series – Offering co-development of specialty materials with customers, such as anodizable, wear-resistant, high-temperature, corrosion-resistant, and high-thermal-conductivity formulations. First sample batches can be delivered within one week, enabling breakthroughs in consumer electronics, robotics, and low-altitude economy applications.

Digital Intelligence and Green Recycling—A Model for Sustainable Manufacturing

· Smart Manufacturing: Over 80% of production processes—from melting and atomization to sieving and packaging—are automated and integrated with MES for consistent quality.

· Digital Quality Control: Real-time monitoring of chemical composition, particle size distribution, and oxygen content ensures every batch meets high standards.

· Intelligent Warehousing: A 1,500 m² automated warehouse enables full traceability of raw materials, production, and quality control. Order response times have been cut from 48 hours to just 2 hours, greatly improving supply chain efficiency.

· Green Recycling: Certain alloy grades use recycled aluminum, processed through purification and atomization for efficient resource use. The company has achieved SCS 100% recycled material certification, reducing its carbon footprint.