On July 31, 2026, Xinxin Foundry, a subsidiary of Sand-AT Technology, received a Factory Approval Certificate from the China Classification Society (CCS), marking official national-level recognition of its copper alloy propellers produced via 3DP binder jetting casting. This certification grants the company market access to the marine and offshore engineering equipment sector. The certified propeller has a diameter of 1,200 mm and weighs 200 kg; using 3DP binder jetting, the entire process from sand mold printing to final casting took just 20 days, compared to 25–30 days with traditional casting methods—a roughly 30% reduction in lead time. This milestone signals the transition of additive manufacturing in China's marine sector from laboratory validation to industrialized application. 3D printing fundamentally overcomes the core challenge of producing complex propeller core molds. Traditional methods rely on highly skilled technicians to handcraft sand cores—a process that is slow and inconsistent, with proper expertise requiring 3–5 years to develop. Additive-manufactured sand molds reduce machining allowances from the conventional 8–10 mm down to 3–5 mm, enabling lighter blanks, thinner walls, and a boost in material utilization from 60%–70% in traditional processes to over 85%. Passing CCS certification confirms that Xinxin Foundry's production system, process control, product quality, and inspection capabilities fully meet the standards of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), making its products applicable to vessels under the jurisdiction of classification societies worldwide. Xinxin's success highlights a broader industry trend: 3DP binder jetting is expanding beyond prototyping and aerospace niche applications into large-scale traditional casting sectors such as marine and energy equipment. Ship propellers are typical high-value, low-volume products that fit the economic sweet spot of additive manufacturing. The CCS certification provides a replicable roadmap for other domestic foundries—from process validation to class certification to volume supply—and it is expected that more casting companies will follow this path within the next 3–5 years. Value for powder buyers: (1) 3DP binder jetting casting does not require spherical powders; it uses conventional casting-grade metal powders, creating new procurement demand for traditional copper alloys (e.g., ZCuSn10Zn2, ZCuAl10Fe3) and nickel-aluminum bronze powders. (2) A single propeller weighs 200 kg, consuming dozens of times more powder than aerospace components; one marine casting project can drive multi-ton powder demand, representing a high-value, large-volume application scenario. (3) CCS certification opens dual-use civilian and military markets—naval propeller requirements demand superior material performance, which will drive quality upgrades in high-performance copper alloys and nickel-aluminum bronze powders, with certified powder suppliers positioned to command premium pricing.