Many users of 3D printing/additive manufacturing technology are concerned with its potential impact on the environment. Often the focus is on resin-based prototypes ending up in landfills and taking years to degrade. But other materials also end up as scrap, such as that from machining and similar subtractive processes.

One company has made it a mission to turn this scrap into usable metal powder for additive manufacturing (AM). The company is 6K Inc. Recently, I had a chance to interview Aaron Bent, CEO at 6K, about how they turn manufacturing scrap into additive manufacturing “gold.”