3-D Printers Making Jets and Bikes Drive Demand for Metal

Now that 3-D printers are turning out homes, jet-fighter components, handguns and bicycles, mining and metal companies are making a play to provide the raw materials.

Suppliers including BHP Billiton Ltd., and Baosteel Group Corp., the owner of China’s biggest publicly traded steelmaker, are backing research into 3-D printing technology, which can produce components faster and cheaper than traditional manufacturing. Demand for specialized metal powders to feed the machines almost tripled over four years through 2013.