Japan’s Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNS and Runcorn-based LPW Technology Ltd (www.lpwtechnology.com) have announced a strategic alliance to drive the adoption of additive manufacturing (AM) into the production environment.

TNS is one of the world’s largest suppliers of industrial, specialty and electronic gases, while LPW Technology is a provider of metal powder and metal powder quality control solutions for AM.

Through its sales and distribution channels, TNS will be supplying a new range of AM metal powders developed and optimised by LPW Technology, as part of a total solution including gases, metal powders and heat-treatment techniques.

Initially, LPW products will be available through TNS group sales hubs in Singapore and China, and in the USA through its subsidiary company Matheson Tri-Gas.

TNS it will use its industry expertise in welding processes, metal heat treatment and controlled gas atmospheres to help lower costs, secure supply, streamline production and eliminate defects for metal AM customers.

In addition to developing a partnership with LPW, TNS is developing partnerships with other key providers of technology within AM, including machinemanufacturer Optomec.