Continuum Powders launches Custom Foundry Runtime to accelerate specialty alloy development and small-batch metal production

Continuum Powders announced the launch of Custom Foundry Runtime (CFR), a new service designed to give manufacturers, researchers, and advanced materials developers flexible access to Continuum's advanced plasma-gas atomisation platform for specialty alloy development, small-batch production, and high-value material processing.

While Continuum continues to supply production-scale titanium and nickel for advanced manufacturing applications, the company's roots have always been deeply connected to specialty alloy development and metallurgical innovation. CFR formalises that expertise into a scalable, customer-facing service designed to solve a growing challenge in the market: the lack of accessible, secure, and economically viable pathways for processing small-volume, high-value materials.

Across aerospace, medical, energy, and defence, organisations are increasingly working with specialised alloys, proprietary chemistries, and precious metals that are difficult to process through traditional foundry or atomisation providers due to minimum volume requirements, production economics, or material sensitivity.

"Custom Foundry Runtime represents an important evolution for Continuum Powders," said Jon Cozens, CEO. "We're seeing growing demand for flexible alloy development and secure processing capabilities, particularly for customers working with highly specialised or precious materials. CFR gives companies access to advanced atomisation infrastructure without forcing them into traditional large-scale production models that don't fit their needs."

The programme enables customers to:

– Develop and validate new alloy chemistries

– Process small-batch and specialty metal runs (as low as 40–50kgs)

– Atomise high-value or precious metal materials, including platinum group metal (PGM) alloys and gold-based materials (400 OTN/day)

– Support rapid R&D and qualification programmes

– Scale from development quantities into commercial production

– Maintain tighter oversight of proprietary or sensitive materials

CFR is supported by Continuum's metallurgical expertise, advanced process controls, and secure material handling protocols designed specifically for high-value feedstocks and specialty alloys.

As part of the launch, Continuum Powders confirmed the successful completion of its first CFR project of 2026 involving atomisation work for a precious metal-based alloy.

The new service offering is designed for agile development programmes, pilot-scale initiatives, and strategic materials projects where speed, flexibility, and technical collaboration are essential. The result is a more efficient path from concept to production that supports both material innovation and supply chain resilience.