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Digital Engineering April 2026
In the latest issue of Digital Engineering, we take a look at the latest innovations in design for additive manufacturing, including the use of natural language inputs, social media cosplayers, and AI integration. The issue also includes a feature…
January Special Focus Issue: Design for Additive
In this Special Focus Issue of Digital Engineering, learn about the latest advancements in design for additive manufacturing, including new software tools, additive in automotive, custom medical devices, and more.
6K Additive, a division of 6K, has acquired Specialty Metallurgical Products (SMP) based in Red Lion, PA. SMP specializes in titanium and zirconium tablets used as a grain refinery for the metal alloys market. The acquisition augments 6K Additive’s existing line of Ty-Gem compacts used in similar applications and markets.
The new product enables 6K Additive to expand commercial relationships into new and existing companies for titanium customers while developing new applications and customers for zirconium additives. The acquisition further solidifies 6K Additive as the premier supplier of metal alloying additives to primary and secondary aluminum producers worldwide. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
“We have over 20 years of experience supplying our Ty-Gem grain refining products to the aluminum industry," Frank Roberts, president of 6K Additive, says. "Adding SMP’s titanium products to our portfolio will compliment our existing offering while enhancing our expertise in the process. The acquisition will also add an entire new product line to our current portfolio in zirconium tablets. The quality products SMP brings to 6K Additive enables us to go broader and deeper with our customers providing a quality, sustainable alloying solution no other company in the world can offer.”
“We have a long history of supplying the top end of titanium additives to the industry and have established SMP as the leading supplier of zirconium,” says Jim Clark, former president of SMP and now strategic advisor of 6K Additive. “Becoming part of the 6K Additive team ensures our customers are provided with the same quality product, but backed by a larger organization that has the logistics and operational infrastructure to support our rapid growth.”
6K Additive employs technology to recycle titanium scrap from machining operations into essential inputs for metal alloys. 6K Additive has over 20 years of experience supplying Ty-Gem compacts to the aluminum industry with the capability of processing over 3 million pounds of titanium scrap that directly contributes to over 3 billion pounds of aluminum at primary and secondary aluminum producers worldwide.
6K Additive is also the premium supplier for 3D printing metal powder that is produced from sustainable sources, targeting the commercial aerospace, medical and industrial sectors. After the commissioning of its 45-acre ISO9001 24/7 powder production operations in 2020, 6K will now expand production with an additional 600 tons/year and set up sales and distribution in Europe and Asia.
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.
DE's editors contribute news and new product announcements to Digital Engineering. Press releases may be sent to them via [email protected].
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