Many airlines, such as Boeing and Airbus, have imposed economic sanctions on Russia, due to the country's invasion of Ukraine.
Before ceasing its business with Russia, Boeing had a contract with a Russian company, VSMPO-AVISMA, to import a metal used for aircraft production, namely titanium. This titanium raw material is used to manufacture various aircraft components, such as landing gear components.
With the termination of the contract due to the effects of the US sanctions earlier, Boeing said that it was not worried about titanium shortages because it already had sufficient stock.
"Boeing has a substantial inventory of titanium, as a result of our initiative several years ago to differentiate the diverse materials we procure from various global companies," Boeing wrote on its official website.
"Currently, we have stopped purchasing titanium from Russia and our titanium stockpile is certain to be sufficient for long-term aircraft production," Boeing added.
Airbus continues to buy titanium from Russia
Meanwhile, aircraft manufacturer Airbus said it continued to supply titanium from Russia and other countries, but did not buy it directly, but from first-tier suppliers. "Everything is following sanctions," said an Airbus representative,
Airbus also said it relies on Russia for half of its titanium needs.
Industry sources said Airbus received Russian titanium mainly from VSMPO-AVISMA with some titanium parts for the landing gear components, which were supplied by Nizhny Novgorod-based Hydromash.
In addition, the NH90 and Tiger military helicopter programs rely on Russian titanium, according to Airbus' 2019 annual report.
The biggest titanium supplier
VSMPO-AVISMA Chief Executive Dmitry Osipov also responded to many companies, including Boeing, who withdrew from contracts to purchase titanium.
According to him, his party is currently working on a new strategy to launch its business in many markets that require titanium.
“We are very sorry that our contracts with a number of our long-term partners have been terminated. Currently, we are directing our sales policy towards other markets,” said Dmitry.
For information, VSMPO-AVISMA is predicted to be the largest titanium supplier in the world and has some collaborations with several global aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing.
Titanium itself is said to be needed by aircraft as a basic material or commodity material that can provide an extra level of robustness to many aircraft components, such as engines, landing gear, and so on, but still makes these components lightweight.
In addition, titanium is also claimed to be strong against high temperatures and can withstand the effects of rust in the long term.