SJTU and Zhongti New Materials Launch Joint Research Center for High-Performance 3D Printing Metal Materials

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Bright corporate infographic showing representatives from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhongti New Materials shaking hands at the launch of a joint research center, surrounded by metal 3D printing equipment, alloy powder samples, research locations, and target industry applications.

Author: Felix Lee, CEO at Forgecise

Published: July 15, 2026

Category: Additive Manufacturing / Industry News

Read Time: 6 min read

Fact Sheet: Key Details for Quick Reading

  • Event Date: July 2026
  • Partners: Anhui Zhongti New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhongti New Materials”) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) School of Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Official Center Name: Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Materials Science and Engineering – Zhongti New Materials High-Performance 3D Printing Metal Materials Joint Research Center.
  • Three Locations: Zhongti Chuzhou Factory, Shanghai Qingpu R&D Center, and SJTU Minhang Campus.
  • 5 Key R&D Goals: Better low-cost alloy design, improved powder making, automated production lines, extreme testing of printed parts, and real-world application testing.
  • Main Target Uses: Planes and space, phone electronics, electric cars, robots, low-flying aircraft, and medical implants.
  • Zhongti Fast Facts: Started in 2017; makes 3,500 tons of powder a year; earned Airbus Scalmalloy® approval in 2024; signed Shanghai Hongqiao center in Nov 2025 (opens mid-2027); building an 8,000-ton Super Factory and a US plant in California in 2026.

A Big Step for Metal 3D Printing

More universities in China are building research groups for 3D printing. As tracked in Nanjixiong’s report, “List of Over 60 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing Research Institutes in China”, schools and factories are working together much more closely now.

In July 2026, Anhui Zhongti New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (or “Zhongti New Materials”) signed an official deal with the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).

The two groups are opening a new center together: the “Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Materials Science and Engineering – Zhongti New Materials High-Performance 3D Printing Metal Materials Joint Research Center.”

They will work together on making better metal powders, improving production steps, training tech workers, and turning lab ideas into real market products. They aim to solve hard technical problems in high-end metal powders. Their focus spans six growing fields: aerospace, 3C electronics, electric cars, robots, low-altitude flying vehicles, and medical implants.

Who is Behind This Partnership?

1. Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)

Shanghai Jiao Tong University is a top school with strong research roots. The Advanced Laser Manufacturing Team inside the School of Materials Science and Engineering works with two major labs:

  • Shanghai Key Laboratory of Laser Manufacturing and Material Modification
  • Ministry of Science and Technology Laser Manufacturing International Cooperation Base

The SJTU team knows how to design metal alloys, build laser 3D printing systems, test fine details of metal parts, and run stress tests under harsh conditions.

This deal grew out of steady progress. Back in 2025, the SJTU team made several big steps in laser 3D printing research. That work set the stage for this new joint center in July 2026.

2. Zhongti New Materials

Founded in 2017, Zhongti New Materials is a national high-tech business and a top maker of metal powders for 3D printing.

What They Make and Build

  • Powder Sizes: They make full lines of metal powder, ranging from nano-size up to micro-size.
  • Current Production: Their factories can turn out 3,500 tons of powder per year.
  • Metal Types: They make alloy powders across five main metal types: Titanium (Ti), Aluminum (Al), Nickel (Ni), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu).
  • Global Sales: They ship metal powder to over 40 countries.
  • Patents and Quality Rules: They own key patents for metal atomization. They also hold three major international standard badges: ISO9001, ISO13485 (for medical tools), and IATF16949 (for cars).

Important Timeline Steps (2024–2027)

  • 2024: Zhongti passed tough tests to get official approval to make Airbus Scalmalloy® special aluminum powder. This made them a certified metal powder supplier for a major global aircraft maker.
  • November 2025: They signed a deal to set up the Shanghai 3D Printing Metal Powder R&D and International Business Center in the Hongqiao Hub area. It should open in mid-2027.
  • 2026: They broke ground on an 8,000-ton Super Factory. At the same time, they set up a US manufacturing base in California to supply customers globally.
  • July 2026: They joined hands with SJTU to start the new research center.

The 5 Things the Research Center Will Do

The new center will run standard projects across three sites: the Chuzhou base, the Shanghai Qingpu center, and the SJTU Minhang campus.

The team will work on five clear tasks:

  1. Design New, Low-Cost Alloys: Make strong new metal mixes that cost less to produce and print well.
  2. Improve Powder Production: Tune the gas and liquid spraying steps to make metal powder grains smoother, rounder, and easier to pour.
  3. Automate Powder Factories: Add smart machinery and data tools to powder lines to boost speed and keep quality steady.
  4. Test Parts in Harsh Conditions: Check printed metal parts under extreme heat, heavy loads, and hard wear from the tiny micro-level up to full size.
  5. Shape Parts for Real Products: Fix part shapes so they work directly inside real planes, cars, medical tools, and flying drones.

Student Training and Shared Patents

The center is also set up to train people and share ideas:

  • They will run shared Master’s and Ph.D. college degree paths.
  • They will teach factory technicians new skills.
  • They will share patent rights and host regular tech talks so school research matches factory work.

My Take on This Step

Felix Lee, CEO at Forgecise:

*”This step by SJTU and Zhongti New Materials shows how the metal 3D printing industry is changing. Metal powder makers used to be treated like basic supply shops. Now, combining an aerospace-approved maker with an 8,000-ton production plan and SJTU’s laser testing tools bridges the gap between raw materials, factory steps, and finished parts.

For fields like electric cars and low-flying aircraft that need cheap yet super-strong parts, this school-and-factory setup gives a clear roadmap for real production.”*

Looking Ahead

Zhongti New Materials has built its steps in a clear order:

  • 2024: Winning Airbus Scalmalloy® approval.
  • 2025: Setting up in Shanghai Hongqiao for a “Material-Process-AI” plan.
  • 2026: Building an 8,000-ton Super Factory and a California plant.

Combining Zhongti’s large-scale factories with SJTU’s lab skills helps take fresh scientific ideas out of school labs and puts them right onto factory lines. This partnership will train skilled technical workers and help build a strong, self-reliant metal 3D printing industry.

Common Questions (FAQ)

What is the main goal of the new SJTU-Zhongti center?

Short Answer: To fix raw material bottlenecks and turn 3D printing research into factory products.

Full Detail: The center was formed in July 2026 between Zhongti New Materials and SJTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering. It builds cheaper, stronger metal powders, improves production lines, trains technicians, and brings lab ideas to open markets.

What industries will use the materials from this center?

Short Answer: Six main high-tech industries.

Full Detail: The center targets aerospace, 3C electronics, electric vehicles, robotics, low-altitude flying vehicles, and medical implants.

What quality badges and plane certifications does Zhongti hold?

Short Answer: Airbus Scalmalloy® approval plus ISO9001, ISO13485, and IATF16949.

Full Detail: Zhongti passed Airbus testing in 2024 to produce Scalmalloy® aluminum powder. They also hold ISO9001 for quality, ISO13485 for medical tools, and IATF16949 for car parts.

Where are the research centers located?

Short Answer: Across three physical bases in Anhui and Shanghai.

Full Detail: Work is spread across Zhongti’s Chuzhou factory in Anhui, Zhongti’s Qingpu R&D base in Shanghai, and SJTU’s Minhang university campus in Shanghai.

How much metal powder can Zhongti produce?

Short Answer: 3,500 tons per year today, with an 8,000-ton factory underway.

Full Detail: Zhongti now makes 3,500 tons per year of titanium, aluminum, nickel, iron, and copper powders. In 2026, they started building an 8,000-ton Super Factory and opened a US plant in California.

Article Sources

  • Nanjixiong 3D Printing Report (July 15, 2026): “High-Performance 3D Printing Metal Materials Joint Research Center Established by Zhongti New Materials and SJTU Material Science School”.
  • Nanjixiong Industry Survey: “List of Over 60 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing Research Institutes in China”.
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Materials Science and Engineering – Advanced Laser Manufacturing Team Archive.
  • Zhongti New Material Technology Co., Ltd. Company Roadmap and Airbus Scalmalloy® Announcement.