Outokumpu has selected SMS group to supply a powder atomizing plant for the production of high-quality metal powder for use in additive man¬ufacturing. For SMS group this plant is the first one worldwide that has been contracted to the subscription model.

The mutual agreement paves the way for a long-term and partnership-based cooperation and to both companies means ex¬ploring new territory.

According to the subscription business model, SMS group will remain the owner of the powder atomizing plant and will be refunded by operator Outokumpu proportionately to the volume of high-quality metal powder produced.

The powder atomizing plant will produce up to 330 tons of high-quality metal powder per year and is expected to start operation at the begin¬ning of 2022.

Tobias Brune, Head of Additive Manufacturing & Powder Metallurgy at SMS group, says: “Right from the beginning, the whole project sailed under the flag of partnership. The performance-based con-tract model clearly shows that, jointly with the cus¬tomer, our company as the Leading Partner in the World of Metals is breaking new ground and will thus advance its expertise.

Additionally, the sub¬scription contract model enables both companies to focus on their core competencies and hence to be successful in the market.”

Outokumpu is a leading producer of stainless steel products. With plants in Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, the U.S.A. and Mexico, and a global service center network the company of¬fers its customers in the most diverse industrial sectors a wide range of tailored solutions com¬prising a great variety of stainless steel products for nearly all applications. These include architec¬ture, infrastructure and the automotive industry as well as heavy industries, medical technology or household appliances.