Imagine taking titanium scraps and old parts and turning them back into high-quality metal sheets and wires without needing a massive, polluting furnace. It's like melting down old LEGOs to make brand new, strong bricks using electricity instead of gas. This process then uses those recycled materials to 3D print and shape complex parts for planes and space gear.
Europe lacks domestic primary titanium production and relies on risky imports. Current manufacturing is fossil-fuel intensive and wasteful, creating a vulnerability in the supply chain for critical aerospace and defense parts.
A circular titanium value chain using FAST and CONFORM™ technologies to turn waste into sheets and wires, and waDED to create hybrid components.
If you are an aircraft component manufacturer dealing with high costs of imported titanium and waste from machining — this project developed a circular value chain that transforms swarf into aeroplane service ports. This reduces reliance on foreign raw materials and lowers energy demand.
If you are a satellite and rocket hardware producer dealing with the extreme cost of primary titanium — this project developed a process to create space landing gear structures from secondary resources. This ensures a more resilient supply chain for critical parts.
If you are a protective equipment manufacturer dealing with energy-intensive production of metal gear — this project developed a method to produce fire protective helmets using electrically driven alternatives. This lowers the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.
Based on available project data, the project aims to reduce costs by using secondary resources (swarf and end-of-life parts) and replacing fossil-fuel-intensive processes with energy-efficient electrical alternatives.
Yes, the project intends to validate the process chain at TRL7 using three industrial demonstrators, including space landing gear and aeroplane ports.
Based on available project data, specific IP and licensing terms are not provided, but the consortium includes 11 industry partners and 7 SMEs who will likely manage the commercialization.
The project runs from 2026-06-01 to 2029-05-31, meaning industrial validation will occur during this window.
The project focuses on replacing conventional fossil-fuel processes with electrically and mechanically driven alternatives like FAST, CONFORM™, and waDED.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 69% industry ratio, comprising 11 industrial partners and 7 SMEs across 7 countries. This strong commercial presence, led by LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum, suggests a high focus on market application rather than pure academic research, with only 1 university involved.
Contact LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen GmbH in Austria
Contact us to connect with the EMPowerMet consortium for titanium recycling partnerships.
