Meltio 3D (Spain) – Metal Additive Manufacturing Pioneer
Meltio is a Spanish deep-tech scale-up headquartered in Linares (Jaén, Spain) that has developed a unique metal 3D printing process based on wire-fed laser deposition (a form of Directed Energy Deposition). Founded in 2019 as a joint venture between US-based Additec and Spanish distributor Sicnova, Meltio has rapidly sold over 500 systems worldwide[1][2]. Its patented wire-laser deposition head enables the production of fully dense metal parts using commodity welding wire (stainless steel, titanium, nickel alloys, etc.) at high speed[3]. This approach yields lower cost and greater supply-chain independence compared to powder-based AM, aligning with EU goals of reducing reliance on non-allied suppliers. Meltio’s platform (including the compact M450 and the industrial-scale M600) and integration kits for CNC machines and robotic arms have been validated by major users – notably the US Navy, French Navy, and Spanish Armed Forces[4][5] – demonstrating its interoperability for NATO operations. The company’s recent recognition as a “strategic technology partner” by the U.S. Army[6] underscores its growing role in transatlantic defense innovation. Meltio’s technology portfolio is highly relevant to European strategic autonomy objectives by enabling on-demand manufacturing of critical spare parts and reducing dependency on external supply lines.