On 19 February 2026, GMH Gruppe launched a new start-up called ProMateria to strengthen its position as an industrial innovator. This company is dedicated to advanced metal powder production and additive manufacturing, with a particular focus on high-nitrogen alloyed steel. ProMateria’s work is meant to open up new possibilities for high-performance components in industries such as aerospace, medical technology, luxury goods, mechanical engineering, and energy.
ProMateria combines the technological expertise and innovative strength of GMH Gruppe with cutting-edge manufacturing processes. Its core focus is on using high-nitrogen alloyed steels (High Nitrogen Steel / HNS) in powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing. With a broad portfolio of materials and tailored solutions, ProMateria seeks to offer a new dimension of industrial manufacturing freedom.
“Metal 3D printing is ready for serial production. With ProMateria, we combine in-house powder production, additive manufacturing, and final processing to unlock new potential in terms of performance, design, and sustainability,” says Philip Stöhr, Commercial Managing Director of ProMateria.
Targeted Innovation and Sustainability
ProMateria was founded by engineers with the goal of pushing the boundaries of steel applications in the 21st century. The start-up is designed to be a strategic hub focused on both performance and sustainability: high-nitrogen steel combines excellent corrosion resistance with strength, hardness, and biocompatibility, offering economic and environmental benefits.
The company also supports internal needs: ProMateria expands GMH Gruppe’s capacity to produce spare parts and meets growing demand for ready-to-install components made with additive manufacturing.
“We are investing in a rapidly growing future market. Our steel expertise meets state-of-the-art manufacturing technology. The result: new standards in precision, design freedom, and sustainability,” says Dr. Alexander Becker, CEO of GMH Gruppe.
Two Strategic Areas of Production
Metal Powder Production
ProMateria produces metal powders from high-nitrogen alloyed steel using a high-throughput process tailored for powder metallurgy. Production volumes range from 25 to 10,000 kg, making the powders suitable for both prototyping and serial manufacturing. Variable process parameters ensure high yields for use in various additive manufacturing technologies, and quality control is certified to ISO 9001 standards. The base material is supplied by GMH Gruppe’s sister company Energietechnik Essen GmbH; other iron-based materials are available on request.
Additive Serial Production
Using the MoldJet process and proprietary metal pastes, ProMateria supports flexible production from prototypes to series runs across six platforms in a revolver system (375 × 210 × 110 mm). Even highly complex shapes, undercuts, fine details, and hollow structures can be produced. ISO 9001 certification for this segment is expected in the third quarter of 2026. The materials portfolio includes high nitrogen-alloyed steel, stainless steel, tool steel, low-alloy steels, high-temperature alloys, titanium alloys, ceramics, copper, and more. This technology enables mass customisation, lightweight design, and durable, cost-efficient components.
One project focuses on developing high-nitrogen alloyed metal powder as a sustainable alternative to cobalt- and nickel-based alloys for dental and medical technology. Cobalt can pose health risks due to toxicity if particles are released through wear or fracture. ProMateria’s proprietary metal powder P2000 was compared with traditional cobalt alloys and found to be technically equivalent, safer for patients, and free of nickel allergies.
In collaboration with Make Golf, ProMateria is also developing customised golf clubs. Users submit their swing profiles and biometric data via an app, which is then used to create optimised designs for putters, irons, and wedges. This collaboration demonstrates ProMateria’s ability to deliver mass-personalised, precisely designed metal components.
GMH Gruppe – A Transformation from Traditional Steel to Digital Manufacturing
ProMateria reflects GMH Gruppe’s transformation from a traditional steel producer into a modern industrial innovation leader. By combining advanced materials with digital manufacturing processes, GMH Gruppe is shaping the future of steel to be more flexible, sustainable, and ready to serve tomorrow’s industries.
