ArcelorMittal has received environmental approval to build a state-of-the-art steel powder production facility in Avilés, Asturias, Spain, marking a major step in Europe’s additive manufacturing and sustainable metallurgy sector. The permit, officially announced in the BOPA bulletin, allows the company to move from research to industrial-scale production.
The new plant, part of the ArcelorMittal Powders division, will produce high-quality steel powders for 3D printing technologies and additive manufacturing. Designed to operate with renewable energy, the facility will feature an electric arc furnace (EAF) and a high-pressure gas atomizer, converting scrap metal into steel powder in an environmentally responsible process.
With an annual production capacity of 1,800 tons, the plant will handle batch sizes ranging from 200 kilograms to 3 tons, supplying critical industries such as aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, and energy. The product portfolio under the AdamIQ brand will include stainless steels (316L, 430L, 17-4PH), tool steels (H11, H13, M300), and low-alloy steels—optimized for additive manufacturing applications.
The project represents a pioneering integration of circular metallurgy and 3D printing technologies, aligning with ArcelorMittal’s commitment to sustainable industrial practices. Production is set to commence following product certification, building on the company’s growing experience in eco-innovations.
This initiative follows ArcelorMittal’s green hydrogen pilot at the Olabertris plant in Spain, which became the first in Europe to operate rolling mill furnaces entirely on hydrogen. This system eliminates CO2 emissions from steel heating, showcasing the company’s dedication to decarbonizing steel production and advancing sustainable metallurgical technologies across Europe.
The Avilés plant positions ArcelorMittal at the forefront of Europe’s high-tech steel powder market, providing critical raw materials for industries driving the transition to advanced, low-carbon technologies.
