Top 10 Companies in the Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering Advanced Manufacturing

In Business Insights
February 05, 2026

The Global Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market was valued at USD 16.10 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 21.13 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This growth is being driven by increasing demand from the medical and dental sectors for hypoallergenic materials, the expansion of additive manufacturing, and the superior corrosion resistance of high-nitrogen alloy systems.

As the manufacturing industry pivots towards biocompatible materials and advanced production techniques like 3D printing, the spotlight is on the specialized powder producers who are driving material innovation and supply chain excellence. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Industry—a group of metallurgy experts and advanced materials specialists shaping the future of high-performance component manufacturing.


🔟 1. GKN Powder Metallurgy

Headquarters: Radevormwald, Germany
Key Offering: Nickel-free austenitic steel powders for MIM and AM

GKN Powder Metallurgy, part of the Dowlais Group, is a global leader in metal powder production and engineered components. Their expertise in gas atomization allows them to produce high-purity, spherical nickel-free austenitic powders that are critical for Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) and Additive Manufacturing (AM) applications, particularly in the medical and automotive sectors.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in advanced gas atomization technologies for superior powder characteristics

  • Development of proprietary nickel-free alloy chemistries for enhanced performance

  • Focus on sustainable manufacturing practices and powder lifecycle management

Download FREE Sample Report:
Nickel?free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Höganäs AB

Headquarters: Höganäs, Sweden
Key Offering: High-performance metal powders, including nickel-free austenitic grades

As one of the world’s oldest and largest metal powder producers, Höganäs possesses deep expertise in powder metallurgy. The company offers a range of stainless steel powders and has the capability to develop custom nickel-free austenitic grades tailored for specific customer requirements in demanding applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering water and gas atomization processes for diverse powder morphologies

  • Strong R&D focus on alloy development for additive manufacturing


8️⃣ 3. Sandvik AB

Headquarters: Sandviken, Sweden
Key Offering: Osprey® metal powders, including nickel-free stainless steels

Sandvik’s Osprey brand is renowned for high-quality gas-atomized metal powders. Their product portfolio includes specialty stainless steel powders, and they have the technological capability to produce nickel-free austenitic grades with tightly controlled particle size distributions essential for powder bed fusion processes.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Leadership in gas atomization technology for spherical powders

  • Commitment to producing powders with low oxygen and nitrogen content


7️⃣ 4. Rio Tinto Metal Powders

Headquarters: Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada
Key Offering: Specialty iron and steel powders

Rio Tinto is a major global mining and materials group with a significant metal powders division. While traditionally focused on iron powders, their expertise in atomization and metallurgy positions them as a potential key player in the development and production of advanced stainless steel powders, including nickel-free variants.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Extensive R&D in powder production technologies

  • Focus on sustainable and environmentally responsible production methods


6️⃣ 5. CNPC Powder

Headquarters: Jiaozuo, Henan, China
Key Offering: Stainless steel and alloy powders

As a leading Chinese producer of metal powders, CNPC Powder Group has a broad portfolio that includes various stainless steel grades. The company is investing in capacity and technology to meet the growing domestic and international demand for high-performance powders, including those for advanced manufacturing applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of production capacity for premium metal powders

  • Investment in quality control systems to meet international standards

Download FREE Sample Report:
Nickel?free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. JFE Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-grade steel products and advanced materials

JFE Steel is a major Japanese steel producer with advanced capabilities in material science. The company’s expertise in developing high-performance steels, including nitrogen-strengthened austenitic grades, provides a strong foundation for venturing into the production of specialized metal powders for additive manufacturing.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strong R&D focus on next-generation steel materials

  • Development of eco-friendly manufacturing processes


4️⃣ 7. Carpenter Technology Corporation

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Specialty alloys including premium metal powders

Carpenter Technology is a recognized leader in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of specialty alloys, including in powder form. Their expertise in high-performance materials for critical applications in aerospace, medical, and energy makes them a significant player in the advanced powders market.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Extensive alloy development capabilities for demanding applications

  • Focus on powder quality and consistency for additive manufacturing


3️⃣ 8. Daido Steel Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan
Key Offering: Specialty steels and metal powders

Daido Steel is a prominent Japanese manufacturer of specialty steels with a growing presence in the metal powder market. The company produces a variety of steel powders and has the technical expertise to develop nickel-free austenitic grades tailored for specific industrial needs.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in powder production technology and quality assurance

  • Development of materials for high-value manufacturing sectors


2️⃣ 9. Praxair Surface Technologies (Now part of Linde)

Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Thermal spray powders and engineered materials

As part of Linde, Praxair Surface Technologies has a long history of producing metal and alloy powders for thermal spray and other applications. Their expertise in powder manufacturing and material science is applicable to the development of specialized powders for additive manufacturing and other advanced processes.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Leadership in powder production for surface engineering

  • Focus on developing materials for extreme environments


1️⃣ 10. Erasteel

Headquarters: Sassenage, France
Key Offering: High-speed steel and specialty alloy powders

Erasteel, a subsidiary of ERAMET, is a global leader in high-speed steels and powders produced via advanced atomization technologies. Their expertise in manufacturing fine, spherical powders with precise chemical compositions is directly relevant to the production of high-quality nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Specialization in gas and water atomization processes

  • Commitment to producing powders with high purity and consistency

Read Full Report:
Nickel?free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Is High-Performance and Sustainable

The nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powder market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional stainless steel powders still dominate in volume, the industry is increasingly investing in advanced alloy development, precision powder production technologies, and sustainable manufacturing practices.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • R&D expansion into new high-nitrogen and manganese-alloyed systems for improved strength and corrosion resistance

  • Regulatory push for nickel-free materials in medical devices and consumer goods due to allergen concerns

  • Digitalization of powder supply chains and quality control for batch-to-batch consistency

  • Strategic alliances between powder producers and end-users for material qualification and co-development

Read Full Report:
Nickel?free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying advanced materials—they’re enabling the next generation of manufacturing innovation across medical, aerospace, and consumer industries.