Tungsten component with different surface orientations. Picture courtesy of PlanseeCeratizit and
Plansee, both part of the Austrian Plansee Group, have announced their first-ever joint participation at the upcoming
Formnext exhibition in Frankfurt. This collaboration will enable the two companies to offer their customers a wide range of additive manufacturing (AM) solutions using the refractory metals molybdenum and tungsten, as well as cemented carbide.
As the world market leader in molybdenum and tungsten products, Plansee is the only company capable of producing AM components from molybdenum, which exhibit similar properties to conventionally manufactured TZM (Titanium-Zirconium-Molybdenum). Additionally, the company produces components made from tungsten and tungsten heavy alloy.
Meanwhile, Ceratizit is now able to 3-D print all conventional cemented carbide grades from its extensive portfolio, eliminating the need for separate powder development. This includes the more sustainable cemented carbide grades from the upGRADE range, which consist of 50-99% reclaimed carbide powder. These grades not only offer superior performance through the latest metallurgical processes but also significantly reduce environmental impact.
Focus on sustainabilityTogether, Ceratizit and Plansee cover the entire process chain within their companies, from raw material extraction to the finished product. Through the use of renewable energy, continuous process optimisation, and the recycling of tungsten and molybdenum, both companies have been able to consistently reduce their product carbon footprint in recent years.
The Plansee Group has achieved an impressive recycling rate of 90% for tungsten in 2023, significantly reducing the reliance on primary raw materials. Furthermore, both companies ensure that any remaining primary raw materials are sourced from socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible origins. In line with their commitment to sustainability, all metallic residues and waste generated from 3-D printing are 100% recycled back into the production cycle.
Dr Bernhard Mayr-Schmölzer, Plansee’s head of additive and joining technologies (corporate research and development), said: "We are thrilled to showcase our joint capabilities at Formnext. By combining our expertise in AM and our extensive range of materials, we can offer our customers innovative solutions that are both environmentally friendly and high performing.”