Driving Sustainability in Critical Materials: A Conversation with Bruce Bradshaw, 6K

Earlier this year I recorded a conversation for episode 006 of Manufacturing Sustainability: Twenty Minute Talks. I sat down with Bruce Bradshaw, Chief Marketing Officer at 6K. Bruce has spent over 20 years in technology and marketing, with a significant portion of his career dedicated to additive manufacturing.

During our conversation, Bruce shared insights into 6K's innovative approach to sustainability. He talked about their proprietary UniMelt plasma technology, its impact on energy reduction, and how they’re driving change in critical material production.

Bruce Bradshaw's Journey in Additive Manufacturing

Bruce’s background is rooted in marketing, with more than 15 years focused on additive manufacturing. His AM journey began at Objet, the company behind Polyjet 3D printing technology. Later, he became the Vice President of Marketing for North America at Stratasys after the merger between the two companies.

In 2014 Bruce joined Arcam, a metal 3D printer manufacturer. The company also owned AP&C, a metal powder producer, laying the foundation for his current role at 6K. Arcam was eventually purchased by GE Additive, where Bruce spent time helping to grow the business. Later, he co-founded Evolve Additive, introducing a high-volume manufacturing technology for plastics.

Meeting Aaron Bent, the former CEO of 6K, brought about the next chapter of Bruce’s career. His current role allowed him to leverage his expertise in additive manufacturing and expand into new markets like electrification and energy storage.

The Need for Change in Manufacturing

I wanted to explore Bruce’s perspective on where manufacturing needs to change, particularly in adopting more sustainable practices. He highlighted how, early on, 3D printing was primarily used for prototyping. But now, markets like aerospace, automotive, and medical implants are exploring how to apply additive manufacturing for high-volume production. He emphasized that one of the driving factors in this shift is the evolving landscape of materials.

Bruce talked about how sustainability has shifted from being a “nice to have” five years ago to a critical part of the manufacturing process today. Companies are paying closer attention to their environmental impact, and this is where 6K is making a significant contribution.

6K's Three Divisions: Additive, Energy, and Next

6K operates through three key divisions: 6K Additive, 6K Energy, and 6K Next. Each division plays a role in the company’s sustainability efforts, powered by their UniMelt technology.

6K Additive: Sustainable Metal Powders

6K Additive focuses on producing high-quality metal powders for additive manufacturing using UniMelt technology. This process offers significant sustainability benefits, including starting with scrap materials and reducing energy usage by 91% and carbon emissions by 92%. Bruce highlighted how this technology allows 6K to repurpose certified scrap materials into quality metal powders, a massive leap toward creating a circular economy in manufacturing.

6K Energy: Cleaner Battery Materials for EVs

6K Energy uses the same plasma technology to produce cathode active materials for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage markets. Bruce pointed out that 85% of the world’s battery materials currently come from China, and the process is far from clean. In contrast, 6K’s process significantly reduces energy usage and water consumption while eliminating hazardous waste. Additionally, 6K can produce these materials at 50% less cost than traditional methods.

6K Next: Exploring Future Technologies

6K Next is the most recent division, focused on identifying the next critical materials and technologies. Two promising areas Bruce mentioned are single-wall carbon nanotubes, which can lower the carbon footprint of cement production, and PFAS remediation, a pressing environmental issue. 6K’s technology has shown potential to nearly eliminate PFAS, a toxic “forever chemical,” from the environment.

Supporting Customers’ Sustainability Goals

6K’s sustainability efforts not only improve their operations but also provide tangible benefits to their customers. Bruce explained that companies using 6K’s materials can reduce their carbon offset purchases and improve their overall sustainability. For instance, companies purchasing their metal powders can reduce carbon emissions and save on carbon offset costs—particularly significant in Europe, where carbon pricing is more developed.

In the battery space, using 6K’s sustainable materials qualifies manufacturers for government incentives, such as the $7,500 discount for IRA-compliant materials in the U.S. These financial incentives make 6K’s solutions highly competitive while helping customers lower their environmental footprint.

The Future of 6K and ESG

I wanted to learn more about 6K’s internal environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Bruce told me that while they’ve made significant strides, there’s always room for improvement. Customers often push companies to do better, and 6K welcomes these challenges, working to ensure they meet or exceed sustainability standards. Their commitment to sustainable materials, quality, and competitive pricing positions them as leaders in manufacturing sustainability.

My conversation with Bruce lifts the lid on how 6K is helping to reshape the critical materials and manufacturing industry by focusing on sustainability. From their work in additive manufacturing and energy storage to their exploration of future technologies, 6K is demonstrating that sustainability is not only achievable but also profitable.

As the manufacturing landscape continues to evolve, it’s companies like 6K that are leading the charge toward a more sustainable future. Thanks to Bruce for spending the time with me and sharing his experience with us.

Twenty Minute Talks will continue to feature conversations about the future of sustainable manufacturing. If you or anyone you know want to apply to be a guest on the series get in touch with me to get the conversation started.

You can watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

Gemma Walsh Woodcock