10146348An innovative eco-friendly titanium powder that leverages the HDH process and wet ball milling in providing cost-effective additive manufacturingActiveCollaborative R&DInnovate UK3DMetal is a UK-based MOD aerospace SME led by Simon Wellings (technical lead), Richard Xiao (serial entrepreneur/investor) and Jing He (project manager). The production of conventional titanium powder for additive manufacturing (AM) is associated with high costs, environmental harm and supply chain risks, which have hindered the development of aerospace/military technology from fully benefiting from AM. The industry faces challenges due to a heavily concentrated titanium supply chain. Airbus relies on Russia for 65% of its titanium, while China and Russia account for 75% of global production. Mining titanium oxide leads to the pollution of groundwater and deforestation, which increases the risks and costs involved. Production and development are being delayed due to short-term increases in titanium prices and reduced availability. Restrictions on supply will have a long-term impact on innovation in the aerospace, military, and automotive industries. The UK's position in global technology markets will have consequences for weapons manufacturing and aircraft development, which are vital for national security. 3DMetal is developing an eco-friendly, low-energy and safe titanium powder using the hydride-dehydride (HDH) process with scrap input material and wet ball milling for particle modification. 3DMetal's powders are crafted from waste materials, making them entirely eco-friendly. This strategy reduces input material costs and energy consumption during processing, leading to a 50% reduction in manufacturing expenses. Consequently, this innovation can reduce customers' manufacturing costs by a minimum of 30%, which will increase the uptake of additive manufacturing and lower waste from the titanium casting and machining industries. Furthermore, this project supports the UK government's Levelling-Up initiative and the UK government's advanced manufacturing plan for 2023\.