Top 10 Companies in the Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Industry (2026): Market Leaders Fueling Advanced Manufacturing

In Business Insights
January 25, 2026

The Global Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Market was valued at USD 134 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 185 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during the forecast period (2024–2035). This robust growth is propelled by the rising demand for biocompatible materials in the medical sector, the adoption of advanced powder-based manufacturing techniques like additive manufacturing, and the strategic need for a more stable cost structure by avoiding nickel price volatility.

As industries prioritize material safety, cost predictability, and manufacturing efficiency, the focus intensifies on the specialized powder producers at the forefront of material science. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Industry—a mix of global metallurgical giants, specialized powder producers, and innovators driving the future of metal component fabrication.

Download FREE Sample Report: Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. GKN Powder Metallurgy

Headquarters: Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Nickel-Free Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steel Powders for PM, MIM, and AM

GKN Powder Metallurgy, part of the global GKN Group, is a leading force in metal powder technology and component manufacturing. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of nickel-free stainless steel powders, primarily based on ferritic (e.g., 430L) and martensitic (e.g., 410L) grades. These materials are engineered for high-performance applications in automotive, industrial, and medical sectors, leveraging their expertise in sintering and compaction.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Development of high-purity powders optimized for additive manufacturing processes.

  • Strong focus on creating sustainable manufacturing solutions through powder metallurgy’s high material utilization.

  • Global production network supporting consistent supply for major OEMs worldwide.


9️⃣ 2. Höganäs AB

Headquarters: Höganäs, Sweden
Key Offering: ASTM 409L, 410L, 430L Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders

Höganäs AB is the world’s largest producer of metal powders, with a long-standing reputation for quality and innovation. Their range of nickel-free stainless steel powders is designed for applications requiring excellent corrosion resistance and magnetic properties without the allergenic risks of nickel. These powders are critical for powder metallurgy, metal injection molding, and welding applications.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Pioneering water and gas atomization techniques to achieve superior powder morphology.

  • Extensive R&D focused on enhancing the sintered density and mechanical properties of nickel-free alloys.

  • Strategic partnerships with automotive and consumer goods manufacturers to develop custom material solutions.

Download FREE Sample Report: Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


8️⃣ 3. Sandvik AB

Headquarters: Sandviken, Sweden
Key Offering: Osprey® Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders for Additive Manufacturing

Sandvik’s Osprey brand is renowned for its high-quality metal powders, particularly for the demanding additive manufacturing sector. The company produces advanced nickel-free stainless steel powders, such as their proprietary Sandvik 3DPrint 410L, which offers excellent corrosion resistance and is ideal for printing complex, durable components for the medical and aerospace industries.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Leading in gas atomization technology to produce highly spherical, low-oxygen powders.

  • Strong vertical integration from gas atomized powder production to finished AM parts.

  • Focus on providing complete material and process solutions for industrial 3D printing.


7️⃣ 4. Outokumpu Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Forta® FDX 410, 430 Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders

Outokumpu, a global leader in stainless steel, leverages its deep metallurgical expertise to produce high-grade nickel-free stainless steel powders. Their products are derived from their extensive knowledge of ferritic and martensitic stainless steels, ensuring high purity and consistent performance for powder metallurgy and coating applications.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Utilization of recycled raw materials in powder production, aligning with circular economy principles.

  • Focus on developing powders for anti-corrosion applications in construction and automotive exhaust systems.

  • Commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of their products through efficient manufacturing processes.


6️⃣ 5. JFE Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: JFE-430L, JFE-410L Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders

JFE Steel Corporation is a major Japanese steel producer with a significant presence in the advanced materials market. The company supplies nickel-free stainless steel powders that are widely used in the Asian market for automotive parts, electronic components, and industrial machinery, capitalizing on the region’s strong manufacturing base.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Development of fine and ultrafine powders tailored for Metal Injection Molding (MIM) of intricate components.

  • Strong R&D collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners to advance powder metallurgy technologies.

  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing demand from the electronics and electric vehicle sectors.


5️⃣ 6. Rio Tinto Metal Powders

Headquarters: Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada
Key Offering: Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders for PM and Welding

Rio Tinto Metal Powders is a key global supplier of a wide range of metal powders. While historically known for iron and steel powders, they offer nickel-free stainless steel variants that serve the powder metallurgy and welding industries. Their large-scale production capabilities ensure a reliable supply chain for industrial customers.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Focus on cost-effective production methods to make nickel-free powders competitive.

  • Leveraging extensive global logistics and distribution networks.

  • Investment in quality control systems to maintain high standards for powder consistency.

Download FREE Sample Report: Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


4️⃣ 7. Pometon S.p.A.

Headquarters: Maerne di Martellago, Italy
Key Offering: Customized Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders for various applications

Pometon is a leading European producer of metal powders with a focus on customization and technical support. The company offers a variety of nickel-free stainless steel powders, with expertise in tailoring particle size distribution and chemistry to meet specific customer requirements in the MIM and PM sectors.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Strong regional presence in Europe, serving niche markets with tailored powder solutions.

  • Emphasis on developing powders for the food processing and chemical industries where nickel leaching is a concern.

  • Commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices and reducing environmental impact.


3️⃣ 8. CNPC Powder

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Cost-effective Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders

CNPC Powder is a significant player in the Asian market, producing a range of metal powders including nickel-free stainless steel grades. The company benefits from the vast domestic demand in China for materials used in consumer electronics, hardware, and general manufacturing, offering competitive pricing.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Focus on scaling production to serve the massive Chinese and Asian manufacturing ecosystems.

  • Investment in upgrading atomization technology to improve powder quality for advanced applications.

  • Growing export activities to international markets seeking cost-competitive alternatives.


2️⃣ 9. HLPOWDER

Headquarters: Hunan, China
Key Offering: Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders for Additive Manufacturing and MIM

HLPOWDER is a specialized manufacturer of high-performance metal powders in China. The company has gained recognition for its nickel-free stainless steel powders, which are used in 3D printing and metal injection molding for producing complex, high-value components for the medical and dental industries.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Specialization in fine, spherical powders optimized for laser-based additive manufacturing systems.

  • Rapid responsiveness to the growing demand for biocompatible materials in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Focus on building a reputation for quality and reliability in the global AM powder supply chain.


1️⃣ 10. Praxair Surface Technologies (Now part of Linde)

Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Nickel-Free Stainless Steel Powders for Thermal Spray Coatings

Praxair Surface Technologies, now integrated into Linde, is a global leader in thermal spray powders and services. The company supplies nickel-free stainless steel powders that are used to apply protective, corrosion-resistant coatings on components in the aerospace, energy, and industrial gas turbine sectors.

Innovation and Market Strategy:

  • Expertise in producing powders with specific morphologies for optimal coating performance.

  • Strong global service network providing technical support and coating solutions.

  • Focus on developing environmentally preferred coating materials that comply with stringent industry regulations.

Read Full Report: Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Is Smarter and More Specialized

The nickel-free stainless steel powder market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional powder metallurgy remains the largest application, the industry is increasingly driven by innovations in additive manufacturing, material science, and the demand for safer, more sustainable materials.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated adoption of Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Additive Manufacturing (AM) for complex, low-volume parts.

  • Growing regulatory pressure and consumer awareness driving the use of hypoallergenic materials in medical devices and consumer goods.

  • Increased R&D into high-nitrogen austenitic stainless steels as high-performance, fully nickel-free alternatives.

  • Digitalization of powder supply chains for enhanced traceability and quality control.

Read Full Report: Nickel Free Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying critical materials for modern manufacturing—they are pioneering the development of safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions for the industries of tomorrow.