Jiuquan Tenders RMB 3 Billion Commercial Space Factory: 100 3D Printers and 6,300 Tonnes of Annual Metal Powder Capacity

On October 19, 2026, Nanjixiong learned that Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, had recently issued an EPC general contracting tender for a commercial space manufacturing plant. With a total project investment of RMB 3 billion (approximately $500 million), the site will integrate metal powder production, 3D printing and AI design in one industrial park.



The project has three main components. A high-end metal powder center will have 18 plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) powder-making machines and annual capacity of 6,300 tonnes of aerospace-grade metal powder. A 3D printing center will have 100 planned printers and annual capacity of 500 tonnes. A laser cladding and repair center will have four machines. Target materials include titanium alloys, superalloys and copper alloys for rocket engine structural components and combustion chambers.

Construction is scheduled to start on November 1, 2026. The construction period is 395 days, with completion expected by the end of 2027. Building on the industrial base of the local satellite launch center, Jiuquan aims to become a new node in the commercial space powder supply chain.

Domestic metal powder capacity is being planned well ahead of demand. Jiangsu VILORY recently completed a $14.8 million Series C+ round; its Phase IV project plans total annual capacity of 10,000 tonnes of titanium, copper and aluminum powders. A subsidiary of Jingye Group is planning a RMB 5 billion superfactory in Fengshun, Guangdong, including 400 metal 3D printers.

Nanjixiong observation

Integrated capacity from powder to parts is being established across China, with commercial space demand as a key driver. The next critical question is whether the new capacity can meet aerospace-grade certification standards.

Related report on the same Jiuquan tender:
Earlier Nanjixiong report

AI-translated from an article by Kuaixiong on Nanjixiong, originally published on 2026-10-20. Text and images retain the original source attribution.
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