Additive Manufacturing Solutions Ltd. (AMS), a UK-based startup providing material and process validation services, is collaborating with the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) to research the technical feasibility of recovering critical materials from surplus Defense Assets.
This partnership would be the first step of a project that aims to provide the MOD with enhanced knowledge of and control over current and future material sourcing strategies.
AMS Director & CEO Rob Higham remarked, “AMS has tirelessly built momentum and expertise within the additive powder market, with a sharp focus on providing recycled feedstocks. This agreement represents the next phase in our mission to commercialize recycled materials within the AM feedstock market. It stands as a crowning achievement in AMS’ history. Supporting the MOD in addressing critical mineral accessibility and capability is an honor and a testament to the efforts of the entire AMS team.”
AMS was previously working on the feasibility and practical possibilities of using recycled metallic materials in additive manufacturing (AM). While it underscores AMS’ expertise in delivering tailor-made AM materials, the work of the company through these partnerships also emphasizes another reality: the efforts of defense authorities across the world to leverage AM.
Read more: NATO’s €1 billion fund could accelerate the use of 3D printing in defense startups
In the case of the UK especially, the goal is to build a resilient supply chain and to do so, it’s important to exercise direct influence over the supply of vital minerals, including titanium, to the UK market.
According to AMS, this initiative champions a high-value circular economy approach to feedstock sourcing, positioning the MOD at the nucleus of future supply dynamics.
The initial phase of this collaboration will encompass a comprehensive capability assessment for the MOD, incorporating trials of atomization, AM feasibility, and exploration of future materials. AMS aims to deliver demonstrative geometry utilizing recycled feedstocks, through collaboration with a significant MOD supplier. The outcome will advance towards subsequent phases focusing on material qualification and industrialization.
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