On August 9, 2026, the Economic Daily published a special report on the development of the additive manufacturing (AM) industry cluster in Luzhou, Sichuan Province. Since beginning its strategic布局 in 2017, Luzhou has built a complete industrial ecosystem anchored by leading enterprises and supported by a robust supply chain. Key highlights: 1) Hanfei Technology has established a 30,000m² production center equipped with more than 45 medium-to-large metal 3D printing systems, achieving mass production of key aerospace metal components since 2022; 2) Luzhou has attracted Ningbo Zhongyuan Advanced Materials to build 30 metal powder production lines, with the first five already commissioned in September 2025; 3) The Longmatan District AM industry cluster in Luzhou was recognized as a 2025 Sichuan Provincial Specialized and Innovative SME Cluster. Luzhou's approach demonstrates how a traditional industrial city can achieve transformation through targeted investment in additive manufacturing. The "tripod strategy" — a leading AM service provider (Hanfei Technology), a powder-making partner (Zhongyuan Advanced Materials), and formal cluster designation — has resolved the high-cost pain point of sourcing metal powders from provinces like Zhejiang and Jiangsu. For powder buyers, Luzhou offers significant value: once all 30 production lines are operational, Zhongyuan will become the largest powder base in Southwest China, potentially reshaping regional supply dynamics; growing demand from aerospace customers (e.g., AVIC Chengdu Aircraft, AECC Chengdu Engine) for locally sourced powders; and it's worth monitoring the expansion of alloy grades at the Luzhou plant, which currently focuses on titanium alloys and superalloys.