Australia’s AMCRC Funds Titanium 3D Printing R&D

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) in Australia has announced funding for a joint research project between the University of Queensland and Coogee Titanium. The A$677,000 (~$467,000) initiative focuses on evaluating a patented titanium processing method specifically tailored for additive manufacturing and advanced metal production. This development is a strategic move to bolster critical mineral security and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains currently dominated by China and Russia.

Australia’s Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has announced funding for an A$677,000 (~$467,000) joint research project between the University of Queensland and Coogee Titanium. The initiative focuses on Coogee’s patented TiRO process, which offers a more energy-efficient method for processing titanium compared to conventional legacy techniques. This research specifically targets the intersection of titanium production and advanced manufacturing, evaluating how Australian-produced titanium performs in Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) applications.

The project is situated within a broader geopolitical effort by Australia, the US, the EU, and Japan to secure critical mineral processing infrastructure and reduce dependence on monopolistic supply chains. While China and Russia currently dominate the global titanium market, the AMCRC aims to leverage Australia’s natural resource wealth to establish a more resilient domestic supply. By focusing on processing capabilities rather than just mining, the partnership seeks to ensure that no single nation maintains absolute control over minerals designated as critical for high-tech industries.

Peter Duxson, Technical Director of Coogee Titanium, emphasized that the collaboration is designed to prove TiRO powder can meet the rigorous performance demands of advanced manufacturing while providing cost and sustainability advantages. The research is expected to help unlock the commercial potential of Coogee’s unique production process across both domestic and international markets. This development aligns with industry recommendations to adopt frameworks for measuring economic resilience and de-risking supply chains, particularly as the timeframe for potential supply corrections from traditional sources continues to shrink.