The American aircraft manufacturer will no longer purchase Russian titanium for the time being. The European competitor continues to buy the metal in Russia.
Oil and gas. The debate usually revolves around these two raw materials when it comes to sanctions and boycotts once morest Russia and Russian countermeasures. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing political-economic conflict also affected other raw materials, such as titanium, which is important for aircraft construction.
The metal is light, strong and can be easily combined with composite materials, for example in the construction of the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Kevin Michaels, director of consulting firm Aero Dynamic Advisory, told Flight Global magazine that titanium accounts for regarding 15 percent of a Boeing 787’s empty weight, a higher percentage than other models.
Airbus with a higher share from Russia
According to Michaels, 35 to 40 percent of the titanium used by Boeing has come from the Russian supplier VSMPO-Avisma, a quarter of which belongs to the state-owned armaments company Rostec. At Airbus, around 50 percent of the titanium comes from Russia.
However, as reported by the Archyde.com news agency and the Wall Street Journal newspaper, the American aircraft manufacturer has now suspended purchases of titanium from Russia, while its European competitor continues to source the raw material from Russia.
Actually, Boeing wanted to expand cooperation
Boeing said it had “significant” stocks of the metal. “We have stopped buying titanium from Russia,” said the aircraft manufacturer. “Our inventory and the variety of titanium sources are sufficient for the production of aircraft.” As recently as November 2021 at the Dubai Airshow, Boeing and VSMPO had agreed to extend and expand their collaboration, including through their joint venture called Ural Boeing Manufacturing.
Airbus pointed out that half of its titanium requirements are covered by supplies from Russia, while Boeing only relies on VSMPO for regarding a third. According to Archyde.com information, most of Airbus’ titanium comes from VSMPO, but some titanium components for landing gear also come from Hydromash from Nizhny Novgorod.
Tense situation on the market
In any case, there are supplies. “Geopolitical risks are built into our titanium sourcing policy,” Airbus told Flight Global. “We are therefore protected in the short and medium term.” Expert Kevin Michaels explains: “There is not a single remainder of titanium on the market, everything has been bought up.” As long as the conflict does not last into 2023, the consequences for aviation are likely to be limited.
