Key facts
- Chinese titanium suppliers are exhibiting at the Farnborough Airshow to expand their global aerospace customer base.
- Titanium is a critical material for aircraft manufacturing due to its strength, corrosion resistance, and heat tolerance.
- Global titanium supplies are constrained by factors including the pandemic, sanctions on Russia, and U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports.
- Boeing and Airbus announced a combined 327 aircraft orders at the Farnborough Airshow, with a focus on addressing supply chain issues.
- SMBC Aviation placed a major order for 200 single-aisle jets, split between Boeing and Airbus.
Chinese titanium suppliers are actively seeking to expand their presence in the global aerospace market, utilizing the Farnborough Airshow to connect with potential customers. Companies like HST Titanium, Jinda Titanium, and Baoji YongshengTai are showcasing their products, aiming to capitalize on tight worldwide supplies of the essential metal. Despite facing U.S. tariffs, executives believe opportunities exist in the American market due to constrained supplies and a lack of domestic production. European interest is also significant, with some Chinese suppliers reporting their titanium is used in Airbus aircraft.
Meanwhile, Boeing edged out Airbus in a subdued series of order announcements at the Farnborough Airshow, with a combined total of 327 firm and provisional orders. The deals, worth tens of billions of dollars, fell short of some bullish forecasts, reflecting the industry's focus on fixing supply constraints and managing record order backlogs. Boeing announced orders for 173 aircraft, while Airbus announced 154. After excluding pre-announced deals, the net tally was 218 aircraft, a slight increase from the previous event but well below the 2018 peak. The largest commercial deal was SMBC Aviation's order for 200 single-aisle jets, split evenly between Boeing and Airbus, underscoring continued demand for narrowbody aircraft. Regional aircraft maker Embraer reported orders for 50 planes, and CFM International received a record order for over 1,000 engines.