Top 10 Companies in the 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering Advanced Manufacturing

In Business Insights
February 16, 2026


The Global 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Market was valued at USD 145.8 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 387.6 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.2% during the forecast period. This robust growth is being driven by the increasing adoption of additive manufacturing in high-value industries like aerospace and medical, advancements in powder metallurgy technologies, and the ability to produce complex, customized parts with superior mechanical properties.

As industries worldwide pivot towards agile, digital manufacturing solutions, the spotlight intensifies on the specialized material suppliers enabling this transformation. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Industry—a blend of established metal giants, integrated additive manufacturing leaders, and innovative specialists shaping the future of production.


🔟 1. Sandvik AB

Headquarters: Sandviken, Sweden
Key Offering: Osprey® 316L, Osprey® 17-4PH, and other high-performance stainless steel powders

Sandvik is a global leader in advanced materials science, producing some of the highest-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing. Their Osprey® metal powders are renowned for exceptional purity, spherical morphology, and consistency, making them a preferred choice for critical applications in aerospace, medical, and energy sectors. The company operates state-of-the-art gas atomization facilities dedicated to AM powders.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Continuous R&D into new stainless steel alloys tailored for specific AM processes

  • Significant investments in expanding powder production capacity to meet soaring demand

  • Focus on sustainability with high powder recyclability rates in its processes

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Carpenter Technology Corporation

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Custom 630 (17-4PH), 316L, and other specialty stainless steel powders

Carpenter Technology is a premier producer and distributor of high-performance specialty alloys, including a comprehensive range of stainless steel powders for additive manufacturing. With a heritage in precision metallurgy, the company’s powders are known for their reliability and are extensively used in demanding applications from jet engine components to medical implants.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Development of proprietary powder characterization and quality control protocols

  • Strategic focus on the medical and aerospace sectors with certified material grades


8️⃣ 3. Oerlikon AM

Headquarters: Pfäffikon, Switzerland
Key Offering: AMphény 316L, AMphény 17-4PH, and end-to-end AM solutions

Oerlikon AM stands out as an integrated solution provider, offering not only high-quality stainless steel powders but also AM machines, post-processing services, and technical consultancy. This holistic approach helps customers accelerate their adoption of additive manufacturing, from initial design to final production part.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Investment in advanced gas atomization technology for superior powder quality

  • Expansion of global service centers to support local supply chains


7️⃣ 4. EOS GmbH

Headquarters: Krailling, Germany
Key Offering: EOS StainlessSteel 316L, EOS StainlessSteel 17-4PH, and other system-optimized powders

EOS is a pioneer and global leader in industrial 3D printing technology. The company develops stainless steel powders that are specifically optimized for its Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) systems. This tight integration ensures exceptional print reliability and part performance for their global customer base.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Continuous co-development of powders and printing parameters for maximum performance

  • Focus on industrializing AM for series production across automotive and aerospace


6️⃣ 5. GE Additive (AP&C)

Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Key Offering: Spherical stainless steel powders (316L, 17-4PH) produced via Plasma Atomization

GE Additive, through its AP&C division, is a leading producer of premium spherical metal powders using advanced plasma atomization. This process yields powders with high purity, excellent flowability, and a tight particle size distribution, which are critical for high-integrity applications in the medical and aerospace industries.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Pioneering plasma atomization for superior powder characteristics

  • Significant capacity expansions to serve growing demand from internal GE businesses and external customers

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. SLM Solutions Group AG

Headquarters: Lübeck, Germany
Key Offering: SS 316L, CX powder materials optimized for Selective Laser Melting

SLM Solutions is a leading provider of metal-based additive manufacturing solutions, offering industrial 3D printers and compatible metal powders. Their stainless steel powders are engineered to deliver high density and excellent mechanical properties when processed on their multi-laser systems, enabling the production of large, complex components.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Development of powders for high-throughput, multi-laser printing systems

  • Focus on open parameters and material partnerships to provide customer flexibility


4️⃣ 7. GKN Powder Metallurgy

Headquarters: Radevormwald, Germany
Key Offering: Stainless steel powders for Binder Jetting and other AM processes

GKN Powder Metallurgy, now part of the PMG division, brings vast experience in powder production to the additive manufacturing space. The company offers stainless steel powders suitable for various AM technologies, with a strong focus on Binder Jetting for high-volume production applications, particularly in the automotive sector.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Leveraging expertise in sinter-based technologies for AM powder development

  • Scaling up production to support mass-manufacturing applications


3️⃣ 8. Höganäs AB (Digital Metal)

Headquarters: Höganäs, Sweden
Key Offering: Stainless steel 316L powders for high-precision Binder Jetting

Höganäs, a world leader in metal powder production, operates the Digital Metal brand, which specializes in high-precision Binder Jetting technology. The company’s high-quality stainless steel powders enable the production of complex, small-scale components with fine details and excellent surface finish, serving sectors like luxury goods and fine mechanics.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Expertise in producing fine, highly spherical powders for high-resolution printing

  • Focus on democratizing AM for high-volume, complex part production


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

Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Key Offering: Stainless steel powders for thermal spray and additive manufacturing

Praxair Surface Technologies, now integrated into Linde, has a long history of supplying metal powders for various applications. Their range includes stainless steel powders suitable for Directed Energy Deposition (DED) AM processes, often used for large-part manufacturing, repair, and coating in the oil & gas and industrial sectors.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Leveraging global gas atomization capabilities for AM powder supply

  • Focus on powders for repair and additive hybrid manufacturing


1️⃣ 10. Tekna Holding ASA

Headquarters: Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Key Offering: High-purity spherical stainless steel powders via plasma technology

Tekna is a leading advanced materials company specializing in the production of high-purity, spherical metal powders using its proprietary plasma-based processes. Their stainless steel powders are known for their excellent quality and are used in demanding AM applications where material performance is critical.

Innovation & Capacity Initiatives:

  • Pioneering plasma technology for efficient, high-quality powder production

  • Expanding production capacity to capture growing market share in the AM sector

Get Full Report Here:
Global 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Is Smarter and More Integrated

The 3D printing stainless steel powder market is undergoing a significant evolution. While standard grades like 316L and 17-4PH continue to dominate, the industry is heavily investing in material innovation, process digitalization, and sustainable production to unlock new applications and improve efficiency.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Development of specialized stainless steel alloys with enhanced properties (e.g., higher strength, corrosion resistance)

  • Rising adoption of Binder Jetting for cost-effective mass production of stainless steel parts

  • Increased focus on powder recyclability and sustainable manufacturing practices

  • Integration of AI and machine learning for powder quality control and process optimization

Get Full Report Here:
Global 3D Printing Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying the foundational materials for additive manufacturing—they’re actively driving the industrialization and digitalization of global production.