Department of Defense Awards 6K Additive a $23.4 million Grant as Part of a More Than $50 Million Investment Program for Upcycling Critical Metals for use in Key Defense Applications
Summary
The more than $50 million program is being supported by a $23.4 million grant award through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Industrial Base Policy, through its Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate.The agreement, entered into under Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III authorities, will help 6K Additive increase capabilities to upcycle high-grade metals, including titanium, nickel and refractory metals, used in alloys for aircraft structural components, turbine engine blades, rocket engines, radar systems, and many other critical defense applications. The investment will support 6K Additives effort in facility renovation, talent acquisition, equipment installation, and engineering that are core to this overall program.6Ks proprietary upscaling processes leverage abundant domestic sources of metal feedstock to include end of life components, machine shop swarf, and scrap from manufacturing processes such as casting and forging. With MCEIPs help, 6K expects to expand its capabilities and achieve full rate production at their Burgettstown, PA facility by the end of 2026.Frank Roberts, President of 6K Additive commented, Our countrys national security relies heavily on materials used across numerous applications and controlling the supply chain from within the borders of the United States is paramount. We are excited to announce this important expansion program which enhances our capabilities to support our defense and commercial customer base. No other organization has the history, experience, infrastructure or potential 6K Additive has in upcycling materials like titanium, nickel superalloys and refractory metals.