RT.com
06 Aug 2022, 17:43 GMT+10
A disruption of titanium exports could spell trouble for plane manufacturers
Europe's aerospace industry would be in danger if sanctions disrupt the supply of Russian titanium, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing the top management of Airbus.
Russia's VSMPO-Avisma is the world's largest supplier of the metal and was the main trading partner for the US-based Boeing and Europe's Airbus.
While Boeing halted purchases of Russian titanium from VSMPO, Airbus has continued buying it through unsanctioned entities and has lobbied to keep the firm off the sanctions list.
"The ones we would sanction would be ourselves. If they [VSMPO] stop delivering to worldwide global aerospace, it's the end of the story. So it's a typical lose-lose," the WSJ quoted Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury as saying.
VSMPO meets about half of Airbus' titanium needs. The metal is widely used in plane making because it is light, strong, and resistant to corrosion.
Before the sanctions, Boeing received about a third of its titanium from Russia. Apart from Japan, US allies don't produce aircraft-quality metal. The Department of Commerce has repeatedly described the current situation as a threat to national security.
After the start of Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, plane manufacturers said they were looking for alternative sources of titanium, but according to the WSJ, this diversification did not happen.
For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Japan Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Japan Herald.
More InformationBEIJING/WELLINGTON: New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commenced his visit to China on June 17, seeking to strengthen trade...
BEIJING, China: A typhoon altered its course and struck Hainan Island, southern China, late on the night of June 13. Typhoon Wutip...
TOKYO, Japan: Japan has a new top sumo wrestler — and he's Japanese. Onosato, who weighs 191 kilograms (421 pounds), has become a yokozuna,...
New Delhi [India], June 22 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nishikant Dubey slammed Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, questioning the motives...
(250622) -- JOHVI, June 22, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Joe Kovacs of the United States competes during the men's shot put event at the World...
BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Our latest release features delightful content and captivating illustrations that align perfectly with...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has granted TikTok another reprieve, extending the deadline for its Chinese parent company,...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: As the global weight-loss market explodes, drugmakers are now racing to solve a less visible problem: protecting...
HAYWARD, California: In a significant step toward its commercial debut, Amazon-owned Zoox has unveiled its first factory dedicated...
SAO PAULO, Brazil: Brazil is taking confident steps to restore its dominance in global poultry exports after declaring its commercial...
NEW YORK, New YorK - U.S. stocks closed mixed on Friday, with gains and losses modest, as investors and traders weighed up the escalation...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Retail sales dropped sharply in May as consumer spending slowed after a strong start to the year, primarily due to...