Top 10 Companies in the Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market (2026): Material Innovators Driving Additive Manufacturing

In Business Insights
February 22, 2026


The Global Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market was valued at USD 175.2 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 342.7 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.2% during the forecast period (2026-2034). This robust growth is fueled by the surging demand for biocompatible materials in the medical industry, the proliferation of 3D printing for complex components, and stringent regulations phasing out nickel in consumer products.

As industries pivot toward safer, hypoallergenic, and high-performance metal alloys, the focus intensifies on the key powder producers enabling this material revolution. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Industry—a group of global metallurgy leaders and specialized innovators shaping the future of additive manufacturing and advanced engineering.


🔟 1. Höganäs AB

Headquarters: Höganäs, Sweden
Key Offering: Nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders, gas-atomized powders for AM

Höganäs is a world leader in metal powder solutions, with a strong portfolio of nickel-free stainless steel grades designed for laser powder bed fusion and binder jetting. Their powders are renowned for high purity, excellent flowability, and superior sintering properties.

Innovation Focus:

  • Development of proprietary nitrogen-strengthened nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steels.

  • R&D investments in powder characteristics optimization for high-density printing.

  • Strategic partnerships with major 3D printer OEMs and medical device manufacturers.

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


9️⃣ 2. Sandvik AB

Headquarters: Sandviken, Sweden
Key Offering: Osprey® nickel-free stainless steel powders, additive manufacturing materials

Sandvik’s Osprey brand is synonymous with high-performance metal powders. Their nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders are produced using advanced atomization technologies, ensuring consistent quality for demanding applications in healthcare and aerospace.

Innovation Focus:

  • Leading expertise in gas and plasma atomization processes.

  • Focus on developing powders for corrosive and high-temperature environments.


8️⃣ 3. Carpenter Technology Corporation

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Custom-engineered nickel-free stainless steel powders, Carpenter Additive powders

Carpenter Technology is a premier manufacturer of specialty alloys, including a range of nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders tailored for additive manufacturing. Their powders are critical for medical implants and instruments requiring biocompatibility.

Innovation Focus:

  • Expertise in creating alloys with enhanced mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

  • Dedicated additive manufacturing facility for powder production and part validation.


7️⃣ 4. GKN Powder Metallurgy

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

GKN Powder Metallurgy, through its Hoeganaes and GKN Additive divisions, supplies high-quality metal powders globally. Their nickel-free grades are widely used in metal injection molding (MIM) and 3D printing for consumer electronics and automotive components.

Innovation Focus:

  • Integration of powder production with end-part manufacturing services.

  • Focus on sustainability and recycling of metal powders.


6️⃣ 5. JFE Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Nickel-free stainless steel powders, specialized steel products

JFE Steel is a major Japanese steel producer with advanced capabilities in powder metallurgy. Their nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders serve the Asian market, particularly for electronics and precision engineering applications.

Innovation Focus:

  • Development of cost-effective powder production methods.

  • Expansion of product portfolio to meet regional demand for nickel-free alternatives.

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


5️⃣ 6. LPW Technology (Carpenter Additive)

Headquarters: Runcorn, United Kingdom
Key Offering: High-purity metal powders, PowderLife® management software

LPW Technology, now part of Carpenter Additive, specializes in the production of high-integrity metal powders for additive manufacturing. Their nickel-free stainless steel powders are characterized by controlled particle size distribution and low oxygen content.

Innovation Focus:

  • Pioneering powder lifecycle management and recycling solutions.

  • Rigorous quality control and lot traceability for critical applications.


4️⃣ 7. Praxair Surface Technologies (Now Linde)

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

Praxair, now part of Linde, is a global supplier of industrial gases and surface technologies. Their metal powder division produces nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders used in coating applications and increasingly in additive manufacturing.

Innovation Focus:

  • Leveraging gas atomization expertise for premium powder production.

  • Focus on developing powders for high-wear and corrosive environments.


3️⃣ 8. ATI Inc.

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Specialty alloys, nickel-free stainless steel powders for aerospace and defense

ATI is a leading manufacturer of high-performance materials, including specialty metal powders. Their nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders are engineered for applications where weight, strength, and corrosion resistance are paramount.

Innovation Focus:

  • Strong R&D focus on alloy development for extreme environments.

  • Vertical integration from melting to powder production.


2️⃣ 9. Erasteel

Headquarters: Sèvres, France
Key Offering: High-speed steels and powder metallurgy products

Erasteel, a subsidiary of ERAMET, is a specialist in powder metallurgy. Their expertise extends to developing nickel-free stainless steel powders, particularly for tooling and industrial applications requiring high hardness and durability.

Innovation Focus:

  • Expertise in the ASEA-STORA process for homogeneous powder production.

  • Expansion into advanced materials for additive manufacturing.


1️⃣ 10. Daido Steel Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan
Key Offering: Specialty steels, metal powders for various industries

Daido Steel is a key Japanese player in special steel production, with a growing presence in the metal powder market. Their nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powders are used in automotive components and consumer goods within the Asia-Pacific region.

Innovation Focus:

  • Development of powders with excellent sinterability and dimensional stability.

  • Strategic focus on serving the electronics and automotive sectors.

Get Full Report Here:
Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔬 Outlook: The Future of Metal Powders is Biocompatible and Precise

The nickel-free austenitic stainless steel powder market is at the forefront of a materials science transformation. As traditional alloys face regulatory and safety scrutiny, the industry is rapidly adopting advanced powder metallurgy techniques to deliver superior performance without nickel.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising adoption of 3D printing for custom medical implants and surgical tools.

  • Stringent REACH and RoHS regulations driving nickel substitution in consumer products.

  • Growing demand for lightweight, high-strength materials in the aerospace and automotive sectors.

  • Advances in powder atomization technologies for improved sphericity and flow characteristics.

Get Full Report Here:
Nickel-free Austenitic Stainless Steel Powder Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying critical materials—they are engineering the building blocks for a safer, more innovative, and technologically advanced manufacturing landscape.