Tekna Plasma Systems Inc., a manufacturer of metal powder, will invest up to $128 million over five years to expand its global manufacturing output and boost its innovation capability. The project will help the Sherbrooke, Quebec-based company increase its capacity to over 1,000 tons per year and includes expanding manufacturing floor space, the purchase of production equipment and resources for product development efforts. The investment reflects Tekna’s long-term commitment to the 3D-printing market.

A first expansion phase in Canada and in France is scheduled to be running full scale by the third quarter of 2018 and will provide Tekna with an extra annual capacity of 250 tons. The project will also broaden the company’s innovation capability with state-of-the-art research facilities in Canada that will serve as the corporate hub for the development and industrialization of new equipment and materials.