Boeing recently announced that it is suspending its titanium purchases from Russia, so dramatically that its European rival: Airbus is still using it.
Boeing said in an emailed statement: " We have suspended the purchase of titanium from Russia.Our inventory and titanium source diversity provide ample supply for aircraft production."The Wall Street Journal reported that the head of the Russian state-owned Avisma Titanium company strongly criticized Boeing's decision to suspend the contract.Four months ago, Boeing announced at the Dubai Air Show that it would renew the Russian company as the largest titanium supplier.
Dmitiosipov, chief executive of Avisma Titanium United, said in an emailed statement: " We deeply regret the suspension of our contracts with our long-term partners."We are now repositioning our sales policy to other markets," he said.'The company has been preparing for such results for several months,' he added.Western governments imposed sanctions on Russia after its "special military operation", but did not target Avista Titanium United, which is 25 percent owned by the Russian State Technology Corporation and dependent on the aerospace industry for three-quarters of its sales, the report said.
In France, Airbus says it continues to purchase titanium from Russia and other countries.Speaking in an email statement, the company said it was also getting titanium indirectly through its tier 1 supplier, all in line with sanctions.The European aircraft maker says it relies on Russia for half of its titanium demand, while the Avisa consortium provides a third of Boeing's demand.
The company has said that its overall capacity to increase jet production depends on the availability of raw materials, including titanium.Airbus's 2019 annual report says its NH90 and Tiger military helicopter projects have always relied on Russian Titanium.Airbus did not immediately respond to inquiries about the specific status of its Avisa contract.Since 2014, aerospace companies around the world have been increasing their titanium inventories and trying to diversify their sources, the report said.
Avisma Magnesium Titanium United Enterprise is the world's largest titanium supplier owned by Russia.The possible disruption of Russian commodity supplies makes titanium the focus of attention.Titanium is also used in the marine, automotive, and nuclear industries.
