AMCRC announces project to evaluate local titanium powder

A collaborative research project is set to strengthen Australia’s advanced manufacturing capabilities by evaluating the performance of a locally produced titanium powder for high-value industrial applications.

Led by Coogee Titanium in partnership with the University of Queensland (UQ) and supported by the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC), the $677,000 project will assess whether TiRO powder — a titanium feedstock produced using a highly efficient and low-emissions process — can be used to fabricate high-quality titanium components via additive manufacturing and other advanced production methods.

With the potential to reduce costs and environmental impact, this represents a significant opportunity for Australia to establish a sovereign titanium components supply chain, from raw materials through to finished parts, according to the AMCRC.

The project will benchmark TiRO powder against conventional titanium powders widely used in additive manufacturing, including gas-atomised and hydride-dehydride materials. It will investigate how trace impurities, such as magnesium and chlorine, influence the microstructure and mechanical performance of manufactured components.

By testing the material across manufacturing techniques such as laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and hot isostatic pressing (HIPing), the research aims to determine where TiRO powder can compete with — and potentially outperform — existing solutions.

Peter Duxson, Technical Director at Coogee Titanium, said the project is a critical step in bringing Australian-made titanium powder and products to global markets.

“This project is about proving that TiRO powder can meet the performance demands of advanced manufacturing while delivering cost and sustainability benefits,” he said. “We’ve developed a unique production process and invested in multiple facilities here in Australia, and this research will help unlock its full commercial potential across both domestic and international markets.”

Simon Marriott, AMCRC’s Managing Director, noted that the project aligns with national priorities to grow Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector.

“This collaboration highlights the importance of connecting industry and research to accelerate innovation,” he said. “Developing a competitive, locally produced titanium feedstock has the potential to transform Australia’s additive manufacturing ecosystem and reduce reliance on imported materials.”

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