Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology Market 2025 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2031
Description
According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market size was valued at US$ 90.3 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 219 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 13.7% during review period.
Vacuum induction melting and inert gas atomization is the leading process for production of a variety of high-performance metal powders and essential for quality manufacturing of Ni-based super-alloys as well as Fe-, Co-, Cr-based and other special alloy powders. In the VIGA system, a vacuum induction melting unit is integrated with an inert gas atomization unit. The starting materials are melted using electromagnetic induction which couples electrical power into the crucible/material under vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere. Once the desired melt homogeneity and chemical composition have been achieved, the material is poured into a tundish by crucible tilting. The fine metal stream flowing from the tundish orifice into the atomization nozzle system is subject to a high-pressure, inert-gas jet and then atomized. The combination of molten metal and gas jet creates a spray of micro-droplets that solidifies in the atomization tower and forms fine powder with spherical shape.
VIGA is where the melting and pouring of the alloy prior to atomisation is carried out in a vacuum chamber, to allow the production of the most oxidation-sensitive and reactive alloys, especially Fe-, Ni- and Co-based alloys containing Al, titanium and rare earths. This includes ‘superalloys’ such as IN718, maraging steels and M-Cr-Al-Y alloys. This technique was developed from the 1950s and 1960s when there was a push to explore the potential benefits of rapid solidification (RS) to allow the production of more highly alloyed superalloys for aerospace and defence applications. This proved to be a very challenging field of application but, after several decades of development, is now absorbing many thousands of tonnes per year of VIGA-produced superalloy powders. This intensive development has meant that the technology lends itself well to producing powders for HIP, MIM and AM. Oxygen contents in the 50–200 ppm range are achievable. Particle shape is, again, spherical with mis-shapes. Particle sizes are as for IGA.
By 1940, air atomisation was a well-established process for the production of zinc, aluminium, and probably also copper/brass/bronze powders. During World War Two, German engineers applied it to pig iron for iron powder production using the RZ process (Roheisen Zunder-Verfahren or ‘pig iron ignition process’). In the 1950s, W D Jones in the UK worked on inert gas atomisation as well as water atomisation and, by the 1960s, plants were being built for thermal spray alloy powder production of the NiCrBSi self-fluxing type. The development of Powder Metallurgy of high alloys and the concept of Rapid Solidification (RS) for refinement of microstructures led to the construction in Sweden of inert gas atomisers for tool steels, which went commercial on a 1–2 t scale in the 1970s. At the same time, the US government invested heavily in R&D on RS superalloys for aerospace and the first Vacuum Inert Gas Atomiser (VIGA) units were constructed with 100–300 kg capacity.
Since then, the use of inert gas atomisation (IGA) with air melting, as well as VIGA, has become widespread in use for thermal spray powders, PM superalloys, AM powders, and MIM powders. VIGA production of superalloy powders in the US alone now amounts to something in the order of 10–20 kt/year.
Inert gas atomisation is the method of choice for more demanding applications, such as MIM, AM, HIP, HVOF, brazing pastes, etc. Nitrogen is the most economic option, but argon is also used on reactive alloys like superalloys and titanium. Helium is used mostly in the production of aluminium and magnesium powders, but there is currently a huge incentive to switch to argon due to the unstable supply and high cost of helium. Total installed capacity of IGA and VIGA probably approaches 100 kt/ year, with large numbers of plants in different countries and industries. They range from tiny plants for a few kgs of precious metal brazing alloy to 3 t/h continuous plants for tool steel production. The fact that they are mostly processing relatively valuable metals and alloys (high value-added, large margin applications) makes small, local, plants economically feasible as opposed to iron powder plants, where low cost and economy of scale is imperative.
Global 5 largest manufacturers of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology are ALD, PSI, Arcast, Consarc and ACME, which make up about 80%. Among them, ALD is the leader with about 25% market share.
Americas is the largest market, with a share about 45%, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, with share about 30% and 23%. In terms of product type, Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg) occupy the largest share of the total market, about 69%. And in terms of product application, the largest application is Metal Powder Manufacturer, followed by Universities and Research Institutes.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis for global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented by manufacturers, by region & country, by Type and by Application. As the market is constantly changing, this report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2025, are provided.
Key Features:
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market size and forecasts, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and average selling prices (K US$/Unit), 2020-2031
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and average selling prices (K US$/Unit), 2020-2031
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and average selling prices (K US$/Unit), 2020-2031
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market shares of main players, shipments in revenue ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and ASP (K US$/Unit), 2020-2025
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market based on the following parameters - company overview, sales quantity, revenue, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include ALD, Consarc, PSI, SMS Group, Arcast, Topcast, Avimetal, VMP, ACME, Zhuzhou ShuangLing, etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Market Segmentation
Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2020-2031, the growth among segments provides accurate calculations and forecasts for consumption value by Type, and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.
Market segment by Type
Small VIGA Systems (<50 kg)
Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg)
Large VIGA Systems (≥250 kg)
Market segment by Application
Metal Powder Manufacturer
Universities and Research Institutes
Major players covered
ALD
Consarc
PSI
SMS Group
Arcast
Topcast
Avimetal
VMP
ACME
Zhuzhou ShuangLing
Hunan Skyline
Zhuzhou Hanhe
Market segment by region, regional analysis covers
North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia)
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America)
Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)
The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology, with price, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology from 2020 to 2025.
Chapter 3, the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value, and growth by regions, from 2020 to 2031.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and by Application, with sales market share and growth rate by Type, by Application, from 2020 to 2031.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value, and market share for key countries in the world, from 2020 to 2025.and Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market forecast, by regions, by Type, and by Application, with sales and revenue, from 2026 to 2031.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, and Porters Five Forces analysis.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
Vacuum induction melting and inert gas atomization is the leading process for production of a variety of high-performance metal powders and essential for quality manufacturing of Ni-based super-alloys as well as Fe-, Co-, Cr-based and other special alloy powders. In the VIGA system, a vacuum induction melting unit is integrated with an inert gas atomization unit. The starting materials are melted using electromagnetic induction which couples electrical power into the crucible/material under vacuum or in an inert gas atmosphere. Once the desired melt homogeneity and chemical composition have been achieved, the material is poured into a tundish by crucible tilting. The fine metal stream flowing from the tundish orifice into the atomization nozzle system is subject to a high-pressure, inert-gas jet and then atomized. The combination of molten metal and gas jet creates a spray of micro-droplets that solidifies in the atomization tower and forms fine powder with spherical shape.
VIGA is where the melting and pouring of the alloy prior to atomisation is carried out in a vacuum chamber, to allow the production of the most oxidation-sensitive and reactive alloys, especially Fe-, Ni- and Co-based alloys containing Al, titanium and rare earths. This includes ‘superalloys’ such as IN718, maraging steels and M-Cr-Al-Y alloys. This technique was developed from the 1950s and 1960s when there was a push to explore the potential benefits of rapid solidification (RS) to allow the production of more highly alloyed superalloys for aerospace and defence applications. This proved to be a very challenging field of application but, after several decades of development, is now absorbing many thousands of tonnes per year of VIGA-produced superalloy powders. This intensive development has meant that the technology lends itself well to producing powders for HIP, MIM and AM. Oxygen contents in the 50–200 ppm range are achievable. Particle shape is, again, spherical with mis-shapes. Particle sizes are as for IGA.
By 1940, air atomisation was a well-established process for the production of zinc, aluminium, and probably also copper/brass/bronze powders. During World War Two, German engineers applied it to pig iron for iron powder production using the RZ process (Roheisen Zunder-Verfahren or ‘pig iron ignition process’). In the 1950s, W D Jones in the UK worked on inert gas atomisation as well as water atomisation and, by the 1960s, plants were being built for thermal spray alloy powder production of the NiCrBSi self-fluxing type. The development of Powder Metallurgy of high alloys and the concept of Rapid Solidification (RS) for refinement of microstructures led to the construction in Sweden of inert gas atomisers for tool steels, which went commercial on a 1–2 t scale in the 1970s. At the same time, the US government invested heavily in R&D on RS superalloys for aerospace and the first Vacuum Inert Gas Atomiser (VIGA) units were constructed with 100–300 kg capacity.
Since then, the use of inert gas atomisation (IGA) with air melting, as well as VIGA, has become widespread in use for thermal spray powders, PM superalloys, AM powders, and MIM powders. VIGA production of superalloy powders in the US alone now amounts to something in the order of 10–20 kt/year.
Inert gas atomisation is the method of choice for more demanding applications, such as MIM, AM, HIP, HVOF, brazing pastes, etc. Nitrogen is the most economic option, but argon is also used on reactive alloys like superalloys and titanium. Helium is used mostly in the production of aluminium and magnesium powders, but there is currently a huge incentive to switch to argon due to the unstable supply and high cost of helium. Total installed capacity of IGA and VIGA probably approaches 100 kt/ year, with large numbers of plants in different countries and industries. They range from tiny plants for a few kgs of precious metal brazing alloy to 3 t/h continuous plants for tool steel production. The fact that they are mostly processing relatively valuable metals and alloys (high value-added, large margin applications) makes small, local, plants economically feasible as opposed to iron powder plants, where low cost and economy of scale is imperative.
Global 5 largest manufacturers of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology are ALD, PSI, Arcast, Consarc and ACME, which make up about 80%. Among them, ALD is the leader with about 25% market share.
Americas is the largest market, with a share about 45%, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, with share about 30% and 23%. In terms of product type, Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg) occupy the largest share of the total market, about 69%. And in terms of product application, the largest application is Metal Powder Manufacturer, followed by Universities and Research Institutes.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis for global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented by manufacturers, by region & country, by Type and by Application. As the market is constantly changing, this report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2025, are provided.
Key Features:
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market size and forecasts, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and average selling prices (K US$/Unit), 2020-2031
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and average selling prices (K US$/Unit), 2020-2031
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and average selling prices (K US$/Unit), 2020-2031
Global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market shares of main players, shipments in revenue ($ Million), sales quantity (Units), and ASP (K US$/Unit), 2020-2025
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market based on the following parameters - company overview, sales quantity, revenue, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include ALD, Consarc, PSI, SMS Group, Arcast, Topcast, Avimetal, VMP, ACME, Zhuzhou ShuangLing, etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Market Segmentation
Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2020-2031, the growth among segments provides accurate calculations and forecasts for consumption value by Type, and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.
Market segment by Type
Small VIGA Systems (<50 kg)
Medium VIGA Systems (50~250 kg)
Large VIGA Systems (≥250 kg)
Market segment by Application
Metal Powder Manufacturer
Universities and Research Institutes
Major players covered
ALD
Consarc
PSI
SMS Group
Arcast
Topcast
Avimetal
VMP
ACME
Zhuzhou ShuangLing
Hunan Skyline
Zhuzhou Hanhe
Market segment by region, regional analysis covers
North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)
Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)
Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia)
South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America)
Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)
The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology, with price, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology from 2020 to 2025.
Chapter 3, the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value, and growth by regions, from 2020 to 2031.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and by Application, with sales market share and growth rate by Type, by Application, from 2020 to 2031.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value, and market share for key countries in the world, from 2020 to 2025.and Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology market forecast, by regions, by Type, and by Application, with sales and revenue, from 2026 to 2031.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, and Porters Five Forces analysis.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
Table of Contents
112 Pages
- 1 Market Overview
- 2 Manufacturers Profiles
- 3 Competitive Environment: Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization (VIGA) Processing Technology by Manufacturer
- 4 Consumption Analysis by Region
- 5 Market Segment by Type
- 6 Market Segment by Application
- 7 North America
- 8 Europe
- 9 Asia-Pacific
- 10 South America
- 11 Middle East & Africa
- 12 Market Dynamics
- 13 Raw Material and Industry Chain
- 14 Shipments by Distribution Channel
- 15 Research Findings and Conclusion
- 16 Appendix
Pricing
Currency Rates
Questions or Comments?
Our team has the ability to search within reports to verify it suits your needs. We can also help maximize your budget by finding sections of reports you can purchase.
