Company Description
Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: LQMT) is a manufacturing company focused on amorphous metal and bulk metallic glass (BMG) components. According to company disclosures and press releases, Liquidmetal Technologies is described as the leading developer of parts made with bulk amorphous alloys, also known scientifically as bulk metallic glasses or BMGs. The company is based in Lake Forest, California and operates in the manufacturing sector, with an industry classification tied to nonferrous metal alloys.
Liquidmetal’s technology centers on a patented injection molding process used to produce amorphous metal components. The company states that the non-crystalline atomic structure of these materials imparts distinctive performance properties. Parts produced with Liquidmetal alloys can achieve micron-level precision, lustrous surface finishes, high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and notable elasticity directly out of the mold, without the need for secondary processing. This combination of material properties and process capability is presented by the company as a way to enable significant improvements in products across a wide array of industries.
Amorphous Alloys and Bulk Metallic Glasses
In its public communications, Liquidmetal Technologies explains that its materials are bulk amorphous alloys or bulk metallic glasses. These alloys have a non-crystalline atomic structure, which differs from conventional crystalline metals. The company highlights that this structure allows its alloys to be injection-molded with high precision and to exhibit high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and elasticity. Liquidmetal emphasizes that it was the first company to develop amorphous alloy parts commercially, positioning its technology as a basis for improved performance in end-use applications.
The company notes that its amorphous alloy technology can be used in a variety of markets. In one description, Liquidmetal states that its technology can be applied in the consumer electronics, medical, and robotics industries. In other communications, the company and its partners reference applications and demand in aerospace, defense, medical device, and robotics industries, as well as sporting goods such as golf clubs through licensing arrangements. These references indicate that Liquidmetal’s alloys and processes are intended for precision, performance-oriented components across multiple sectors.
Manufacturing and Global Footprint
Liquidmetal Technologies describes itself as an amorphous alloy manufacturing company and the leading developer of parts made with bulk amorphous alloys. The company has highlighted both direct manufacturing operations and a network of partnerships and subsidiaries that support its bulk metallic glass business.
Liquidmetal has disclosed that it established Liquidmetal Asia Holdings Limited, a wholly owned Hong Kong-based subsidiary, to facilitate business development opportunities throughout Asia and to explore additional manufacturing sites for its bulk metallic glass business. The company’s Board approved the appointment of its Chairman, Professor Lugee Li, to manage the operations of Liquidmetal Asia Holdings, with a focus on manufacturing and operations in Asia.
In a later announcement, Liquidmetal reported that Liquidmetal Asia Holdings Limited entered into an agreement to form a joint venture company named Hangzhou Feifeng Liquidmetal Co. Ltd. The joint venture is intended to develop a manufacturing facility in Hangzhou, China for the manufacture of amorphous alloy products. According to the company, the joint venture company is to be owned 70% by Liquidmetal Asia and 30% by an individual investor, with an initial capital investment described in the company’s news release. The facility is anticipated to offer substantial manufacturing space and capacity for multiple die-cast machines, reflecting the company’s focus on scaling production of amorphous alloy products.
Liquidmetal has also announced a manufacturing supply agreement with Dongguan Yihao Metal Technology Co., Ltd., which it describes as the world’s largest manufacturer of BMG products. The company notes that it had already been working with Yihao as a contract manufacturer and that the supply agreement formalizes a long-term relationship. Liquidmetal characterizes this partnership as combining its brand, knowledge, and expertise in the amorphous alloy space with Yihao’s manufacturing capabilities, with the goal of bringing Liquidmetal applications and services to the global supply chain.
Licensing, Partnerships, and Applications
Beyond its own manufacturing activities, Liquidmetal Technologies also pursues licensing and partnership arrangements related to its amorphous alloy technology. In one disclosed agreement, the company entered into an amended license agreement with Amorphology, Inc., a developer and producer of specialized BMG applications based in Pasadena, California. Under this amended agreement, Amorphology receives a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license to utilize Liquidmetal’s technology to manufacture and sell amorphous metal parts and components. The companies describe this relationship as an optimized partnership that brings together materials science expertise, high precision manufacturing capabilities, and a domestic U.S. production facility to meet demand in aerospace, defense, medical device, and robotics industries.
Liquidmetal has also referenced the use of its technology in the sporting goods sector. Through its majority-owned subsidiary, Liquidmetal Golf, the company entered into a sub-license agreement with Amorphous Technologies Japan Inc. (ATJ), a Japanese entity established by Twins Corporation. ATJ is expected to focus on developing golf clubs utilizing Liquidmetal’s technology and selling them globally, beginning in Japan. The company notes that it previously sold Liquidmetal golf drivers and that this new arrangement allows a partner to focus on developing the golf market using Liquidmetal technology.
Target Markets and Use Cases
In its public descriptions, Liquidmetal Technologies notes that its technology can be applied across a variety of markets. Specifically, the company highlights consumer electronics, medical, and robotics industries as areas where its amorphous metal components can be used. Through its partnerships and licensing arrangements, additional references are made to aerospace, defense, and medical device applications, as well as golf and other sporting goods. These statements indicate that the company’s alloys and processes are aimed at applications where high precision, strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and elasticity are valued.
The company’s collaboration with Amorphology is described as a way to gain greater market traction and enable more widespread adoption of amorphous metal technology. Liquidmetal also emphasizes that having a local U.S. manufacturing source through its partner can help pursue applications where customers require U.S. manufacturing or where legal or geopolitical restrictions apply.
Capital Markets and Investor Communications
Liquidmetal Technologies’ common stock trades on the OTCQB market under the symbol LQMT. The company has repeatedly announced year-end earnings conference calls, hosted by its CEO, to discuss financial results. These calls have been accessible via telephone and webcast, with replay options provided for a limited period. The company’s participation in investor-focused events, such as presenting at the LD Micro Main Event, further reflects its engagement with the small-cap investment community.
In one announcement, Liquidmetal stated that it would present at the LD Micro Main Event XIX, with the focus of the presentation described as the future outlook of Liquidmetal technology and the re-emergence of the company’s manufacturing operations. This indicates that the company uses such events to communicate its technology roadmap and operational developments to investors and other stakeholders.
Technology Characteristics Highlighted by the Company
Across multiple press releases, Liquidmetal Technologies consistently emphasizes several key characteristics of its amorphous alloys and bulk metallic glasses:
- Non-crystalline atomic structure, distinguishing them from conventional crystalline metals.
- Ability to be injection-molded with micron-level precision.
- Lustrous surface finishes directly out of the mold.
- High strength and hardness.
- Corrosion resistance.
- Remarkable elasticity.
The company presents these properties as enabling significant improvements in products that use its parts and components. It also notes that many of these performance characteristics are achieved without secondary processing, which is a central part of its value proposition.
Position Within the Amorphous Alloy Ecosystem
Liquidmetal Technologies describes itself as the leading developer of parts made with bulk amorphous alloys and as the first company to develop amorphous alloy parts commercially. It also refers to itself as the foremost supplier of applications for zirconium-based bulk metallic glasses in the context of its supply agreement with Yihao. These self-descriptions, along with its network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, and licensees, indicate that the company positions itself as a central participant in the commercialization and application of bulk metallic glass technology.
At the same time, the company works with specialized partners such as Amorphology and Yihao, and with sector-focused entities like Liquidmetal Golf and Amorphous Technologies Japan Inc., to extend the reach of its technology into specific markets and geographies. According to its own statements, this combination of internal capabilities and external partnerships is intended to support broader adoption of amorphous alloy technology across industries.
FAQs about Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. (LQMT)
- What does Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. do?
Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. is a manufacturing company focused on amorphous metal and bulk metallic glass components. The company describes itself as the leading developer of parts made with bulk amorphous alloys, using a patented injection molding process to produce components with high precision, strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and elasticity. - What are bulk amorphous alloys or bulk metallic glasses (BMGs)?
According to Liquidmetal, bulk amorphous alloys or bulk metallic glasses are metals with a non-crystalline atomic structure. This structure allows the alloys to be injection-molded with micron-level precision and to exhibit properties such as high strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and notable elasticity, along with lustrous surface finishes. - Which industries does Liquidmetal Technologies target with its technology?
The company states that its technology can be used in a variety of markets, especially in consumer electronics, medical, and robotics industries. Through its partnerships and license agreements, it also references applications in aerospace, defense, medical devices, and sporting goods such as golf clubs. - How does Liquidmetal produce its amorphous metal components?
Liquidmetal explains that it uses a patented injection molding process to produce amorphous metal components. This process is described as achieving precision, strength, hardness, elasticity, and corrosion resistance directly out of the mold, without requiring secondary processing. - What is Liquidmetal Asia Holdings Limited?
Liquidmetal Asia Holdings Limited is described by the company as a wholly owned Hong Kong-based subsidiary established to facilitate business development opportunities throughout Asia. The subsidiary is involved in exploring and developing new manufacturing sites for the company’s bulk metallic glass business. - What is the Hangzhou Feifeng Liquidmetal Co. Ltd. joint venture?
Liquidmetal has announced that its subsidiary, Liquidmetal Asia Holdings Limited, entered into an agreement to form a joint venture named Hangzhou Feifeng Liquidmetal Co. Ltd. The joint venture is intended to develop a manufacturing facility in Hangzhou, China for the manufacture of amorphous alloy products, with ownership shared between Liquidmetal Asia and an individual investor. - How does Liquidmetal work with Dongguan Yihao Metal Technology?
The company reports that it entered into a manufacturing supply agreement with Dongguan Yihao Metal Technology Co., Ltd., which it describes as the world’s largest manufacturer of BMG products. Liquidmetal had previously worked with Yihao as a contract manufacturer, and the agreement formalizes a long-term relationship to support manufacturing of bulk metallic glass products. - What is Liquidmetal’s relationship with Amorphology, Inc.?
Liquidmetal has entered into an amended license agreement with Amorphology, Inc., granting Amorphology a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license to use Liquidmetal’s technology to manufacture and sell amorphous metal parts and components. The companies describe this as a partnership that combines materials science expertise, precision manufacturing, and a domestic U.S. production facility to serve industries such as aerospace, defense, medical devices, and robotics. - How is Liquidmetal technology used in the golf industry?
Through its majority-owned subsidiary, Liquidmetal Golf, the company entered into a sub-license agreement with Amorphous Technologies Japan Inc. (ATJ). ATJ is expected to focus on developing golf clubs utilizing Liquidmetal’s technology and selling them globally, beginning in Japan. Liquidmetal notes that it previously sold Liquidmetal golf drivers and that this agreement allows a partner to focus on developing the golf market using its technology. - On which market does Liquidmetal Technologies’ stock trade and what is its ticker symbol?
Liquidmetal Technologies’ common stock trades on the OTCQB market under the ticker symbol LQMT, as referenced in the company’s press releases.