Scandium Canada Partners with University of Waterloo’s MSAM Lab to Advance Aluminum-Scandium 3D Printing

Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSX-V: SCD) has entered into a mutual non-disclosure agreement with the University of Waterloo's Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (MSAM) to explore additive manufacturing of aluminum-scandium alloys. The collaboration, announced June 1, 2026, seeks to accelerate the commercialization of these advanced materials through research into Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) processes.

The partnership brings together Scandium Canada's expertise in scandium-based alloys with MSAM's capabilities in metal 3D printing. MSAM, located at Catalyst137 in Kitchener, Ontario, is equipped with over $25 million in state-of-the-art equipment and is recognized as one of Canada's leading additive manufacturing research centres. The lab has built a strong international reputation for process optimization, development of advanced materials, and qualification of specialized alloys for industrial applications.

Professor Mihaela Vlasea, Ph.D., Co-Director of MSAM and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Sustainable Additive Manufacturing, will lead the research, supported by Research Associate Mohsen K. Keshavarz, Ph.D. The work will be coordinated by Luc Duchesne, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of Scandium Canada and Head of Scandium+. Duchesne recently visited MSAM to initiate research trials.

“Collaborating with one of the most respected additive manufacturing laboratories in the world marks an important step forward for Scandium Canada and for our Scandium+ division,” said Guy Bourassa, Chief Executive Officer of Scandium Canada. “This initiative reflects our commitment to generating concrete commercial opportunities for aluminum-scandium alloys. Working alongside MSAM, a top-tier Canadian research and development organization with deep market expertise and a strong business network, represents a significant step toward achieving our objectives.”

The primary research goal is to develop processes that reduce the cost of advanced manufacturing using L-PBF, thereby broadening the spectrum of market opportunities. “Our first target is to develop processes to reduce the cost of advanced manufacturing using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) to broaden the spectrum of market opportunities,” said Duchesne. “It is exciting to engage with the industry ecosystem to address pressing supply chain needs for metal additive manufacturing,” added Vlasea.

Aluminum-scandium alloys offer significant advantages over conventional aluminum alloys, including higher strength, improved weldability, and better corrosion resistance. These properties make them attractive for aerospace, defense, automotive, and consumer electronics applications. However, widespread adoption has been hindered by high production costs and limited availability of scandium. Scandium Canada aims to address these challenges through its Crater Lake mining project and its Scandium+ division, which focuses on research, development, and commercialization of innovative scandium uses.

The agreement with MSAM represents a strategic move to leverage advanced manufacturing techniques to lower costs and improve the performance of aluminum-scandium alloys. By collaborating with a world-class research institution, Scandium Canada hopes to accelerate the qualification of these alloys for industrial applications and capture a share of the growing additive manufacturing market.

Forward-looking statements in the release note that actual outcomes may differ materially from expectations due to various risks and uncertainties, as detailed in the company's filings on SEDAR+.