Western aerospace supply chains face potential disruption due to Russia and China's titanium monopoly.
In the ever-evolving world of aviation, commercial aircraft are set to account for an astounding 90% of annual titanium demand by the late 2040s. This lightweight alloying metal, essential for aircraft parts, is primarily sourced from Russia and China, two nations that dominate the global supply of titanium.
The aerospace industry's reliance on these commodities and countries extends beyond titanium, with Project Blue, a critical material supply chain advisory firm, highlighting similar dependencies on aluminium, steel, cobalt, nickel, and their related alloys.
The supply of aerospace-grade titanium is currently under strain due to geopolitical tensions, with Russia's war in Ukraine impacting the industry. This conflict has added to the existing challenges faced by the global aerospace industry, which is already grappling with a post-Covid supply chain crisis.
In an effort to adapt to these changing circumstances, Lockheed Martin is upgrading the Republic of Korea Air Force's F-16 Block 52 flight simulators to reflect the advanced capabilities of its modernised F-16 Viper (F-16V) aircraft. Meanwhile, NCC has adopted Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud, a move that has been extended to other innovation centres within the UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult network.
The growing control over titanium by China, which currently supplies over 75% of the world's titanium metals, up from less than 40% in 2019, raises concerns that it may restrict outward flows to prioritise its domestic aerospace programs. To mitigate this risk, companies like ATI have extended and broadened their long-term titanium supply agreements with key players such as Boeing.
Brookhouse Aerospace, in response to these challenges, has invested over £500,000 in additional machinery to extend its engineering capabilities. The extended agreement with ATI strengthens its role as a leading provider of advanced titanium materials for the aerospace industry.
The global order backlog for new aircraft had risen from 10,000 to over 17,000 by the end of 2024, underscoring the industry's resilience in the face of adversity. The requirement for titanium is projected to reach more than 1.6 million tonnes by 2044 to meet the forecast production of about 46,000 new commercial planes.
As the aerospace industry evolves, it is clear that adaptability and strategic partnerships will be key to navigating the complexities of the global supply chain.
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