The metal powder manufacturer 6K Additive and the US-based firearms and suppressor producer AGF Defcom announced a strategic partnership at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. At the heart of the agreement is the supply of metallic high-performance powders for the laser powder bed fusion process used in the additive manufacturing of suppressors. At the same time, a closed-loop material cycle is to be established to systematically recycle manufacturing residues.
The technical basis of this approach is 6K Additive’s UniMelt process, in which metallic feedstocks are melted using a microwave-based plasma process and processed into powder with a defined particle morphology. In the future, both solid production residues and unused powder from manufacturing at AGF Defcom are to be fed back into the process. The aim is to maintain consistent powder quality, reduce material losses, and decrease dependence on external supply chains.
Zoltan Kovacs, owner and CEO of AGF Defcom said, “The suppressor market is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and our investment in additive manufacturing is driving significant interest. To succeed with this technology, high-quality powder is a non-negotiable requirement. While partnering with 6K Additive ensures a premium domestic supply, the ability to upcycle our scrap is the real game changer. We have successfully transformed what was once a logistical and financial burden into a high-value asset that directly improves our bottom line.”
The timing of the cooperation coincides with a phase of strong market growth. Following the removal of the nationwide US federal fee on suppressors, the market has recorded significantly increasing unit volumes since 2026.
Additive Manufacturing Research’s Executive Vice President of Research Scott Dunham said, “The additive suppressor market is one we’ve been watching since 2017, and its impact today on metal additive manufacturing is undeniable. Additive technologies have enabled both business model innovation and product innovation in the area of suppressors, and within 5 years Additive Manufacturing Research expects a penetration of metal AM technologies into this market exceeding 70 percent. Reminiscent of what polymer printing did to the hearing aid industry in the late 2000s, and what continues to happen today in space and rocket propulsion, suppressors are the latest market that will flip to an additive dominant production this decade. It’s therefore important for stakeholders to be able to continue to bring a solid value proposition in this area to accelerate the transition and push the AM industry forward as a whole.”
“With the suppressor market growing at a staggering 265% in just five years, teaming up with AGF Defcom is a perfect strategic fit. They have a 25-year legacy of manufacturing excellence, and we are excited to support their high-growth trajectory,” explained Frank Roberts, CEO of 6K Additive. “Beyond the business expansion, AGF Defcom truly understands the importance of converting scrap into high-performance powder. The fact that we are both U.S. suppliers makes this collaboration even more significant for the defense sector and domestic manufacturing.”
This could establish a production model for the 3D printing of suppressors that more closely integrates technological requirements with industrial framework conditions.
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