PyroGenesis announces that it will produce specialty powders for the Additive Manufacturing industry, specifically for 3D printing

MONTREAL, Oct. 26, 2015

PyroGenesis' Plasma Atomization Process (PAP) is an enabling technology for 3D Printing as well as other additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy applications. PyroGenesis' technology has the distinction of producing highly flowable and very pure spherical metallic powders, all highly sought after characteristics in additive manufacturing applications. 

As previously announced, PyroGenesis filed a provisional patent for this PAP. This new process enables PyroGenesis to produce metallic powders at higher production rates while, at the same time, allowing for better control of powder size distribution. The need to produce powders of a specific particle size distribution at increasingly higher production rates is driven by the growing demand created by the additive manufacturing industry, particularly 3D printing.

"While delivering the first of ten (10) Plasma Atomization Systems to a client, an opportunity arose to test certain parameters which PyroGenesis identified as having the potential of improving both the production rate and purity of the powders," said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. "The decision was taken, with the customer, to strategically delay delivering the first system to allow for this testing. This strategic delay not only resulted in a patent application by PyroGenesis, but paved the way for PyroGenesis to consider producing powder for 3D printing on its own."

PyroGenesis has already identified customers interested in procuring PyroGenesis powders, though not in the quantity that would justify the purchase of a Plasma Atomization System. With a total investment of $1.7MM, PyroGenesis could be producing specialty powders within nine (9) months. It is estimated that PyroGenesis could generate over $10MM profit per year per system from powder sales alone. As such, PyroGenesis has decided to enter this market and is in the process of securing the funds to finance such a build. This first system would also be used to develop next generation Plasma Atomization Systems capable of making powders from various metals being used in 3D printing, as well as from composites.

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a TSX Venture 50® clean-tech company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes. We provide engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m² manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2008 certified, and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian company on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace (Ticker Symbol: PYRNF). For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com