April 2025 Metallurgy Blog
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April 8, 2025
MeKo Brings Precision Metal Processing to the U.S. with New MedTech Facility
MeKo Brings Precision Metal Processing to the U.S. with New MedTech Facility
German-based MeKo Manufacturing has officially launched its U.S. operations with the opening of MeKo MedTech Inc. in Bloomington, Minnesota, marking a significant step in expanding its footprint across North America. Known for its expertise in high-precision laser material processing, MeKo brings over 30 years of experience to the U.S. market—particularly in the manufacturing of metal components for advanced medical devices.
Founded in 1991 in Sarstedt, Germany, MeKo has earned a global reputation for precision laser cutting, welding, and drilling of a broad range of metals. These include critical medical-grade materials such as stainless steel, cobalt chromium, tantalum, titanium, and platinum-iridium, as well as shape-memory alloys like nitinol. In addition to these traditional alloys, MeKo also offers innovative, biocompatible solutions such as nickel- and cobalt-free Vasculoy, bioresorbable Resoloy magnesium alloy, and PolyMediX precision polymer tubing with integrated drug delivery capabilities.
The new U.S. facility will allow MeKo to provide faster, localized support to its American partners throughout the entire product lifecycle—from prototyping to full-scale production. Medical devices like stents, heart valve frames, and custom implants are at the core of MeKo’s offering, and the Minnesota site ensures close collaboration on even the most complex metal-based projects.
Backed by a team of U.S. professionals and seasoned German project managers, MeKo’s U.S. expansion combines regional know-how with world-class engineering standards, solidifying its role as a trusted partner in precision metal processing for the medtech industry. Learn more about this topic here.
Founded in 1991 in Sarstedt, Germany, MeKo has earned a global reputation for precision laser cutting, welding, and drilling of a broad range of metals. These include critical medical-grade materials such as stainless steel, cobalt chromium, tantalum, titanium, and platinum-iridium, as well as shape-memory alloys like nitinol. In addition to these traditional alloys, MeKo also offers innovative, biocompatible solutions such as nickel- and cobalt-free Vasculoy, bioresorbable Resoloy magnesium alloy, and PolyMediX precision polymer tubing with integrated drug delivery capabilities.
The new U.S. facility will allow MeKo to provide faster, localized support to its American partners throughout the entire product lifecycle—from prototyping to full-scale production. Medical devices like stents, heart valve frames, and custom implants are at the core of MeKo’s offering, and the Minnesota site ensures close collaboration on even the most complex metal-based projects.
Backed by a team of U.S. professionals and seasoned German project managers, MeKo’s U.S. expansion combines regional know-how with world-class engineering standards, solidifying its role as a trusted partner in precision metal processing for the medtech industry. Learn more about this topic here.
April 25, 2025
Semiconductor Boom Reshapes Global Minor Metal Markets
Semiconductor Boom Reshapes Global Minor Metal Markets
The rapid evolution of semiconductor technologies and their expanding applications are reshaping demand and supply dynamics across several minor metals, industry experts reported at the Minor Metals Trade Association conference in Lisbon last week.
In the hafnium market, semiconductor demand is poised to overtake super-alloy applications within five years. Nanoscale Powders President Andrew Matheson highlighted that semiconductor use could reach 64 t/yr by 2030—a 24% increase from 2024—compared to a more modest rise in super-alloys and nuclear uses. However, current global production of 138 t/yr lags behind nameplate capacity, raising concerns about supply constraints.
Hafnium oxide (HfO₂) is increasingly critical in semiconductors, particularly for field-effect transistors, DRAM capacitors, and non-volatile memory. The surge in AI applications and associated data storage needs, along with growing power demands for AI data centers, are additional drivers of demand in both semiconductor and super-alloy sectors.
Indium is also experiencing a shift, with semiconductor-related uses like high-speed fiber optics and thermal interface materials now accounting for about 10% of global consumption. Indium’s role in AI data transmission and optoelectronics is expected to fuel 2-3% annual growth.
Meanwhile, gallium is undergoing a structural transformation. China’s production capacity has more than tripled since 2016, driven by downstream semiconductor integration. Export controls and US trade restrictions have reduced exports and shifted focus inward, bolstered by a $47.5 billion national semiconductor fund.
These shifts underscore the increasingly strategic role of semiconductors in global minor metal markets. Learn more here.
In the hafnium market, semiconductor demand is poised to overtake super-alloy applications within five years. Nanoscale Powders President Andrew Matheson highlighted that semiconductor use could reach 64 t/yr by 2030—a 24% increase from 2024—compared to a more modest rise in super-alloys and nuclear uses. However, current global production of 138 t/yr lags behind nameplate capacity, raising concerns about supply constraints.
Hafnium oxide (HfO₂) is increasingly critical in semiconductors, particularly for field-effect transistors, DRAM capacitors, and non-volatile memory. The surge in AI applications and associated data storage needs, along with growing power demands for AI data centers, are additional drivers of demand in both semiconductor and super-alloy sectors.
Indium is also experiencing a shift, with semiconductor-related uses like high-speed fiber optics and thermal interface materials now accounting for about 10% of global consumption. Indium’s role in AI data transmission and optoelectronics is expected to fuel 2-3% annual growth.
Meanwhile, gallium is undergoing a structural transformation. China’s production capacity has more than tripled since 2016, driven by downstream semiconductor integration. Export controls and US trade restrictions have reduced exports and shifted focus inward, bolstered by a $47.5 billion national semiconductor fund.
These shifts underscore the increasingly strategic role of semiconductors in global minor metal markets. Learn more here.
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