Friday, June 24, 2022

Airbus: Avoid sanctions on titanium

WASHINGTON - European-based Airbus, the world's largest commercial aircraft manufacturer, has called on the West to avoid sanctions on Russian titanium, according to a Wall Street Journal report. This development comes amid restrictions on the export of Russian goods ranging from vodka to steel although titanium has been kept off the EU and US sanction lists. Airbus is still importing large amounts of titanium from Russia. It has publicly called for the EU to hold off imposing sanctions on the metal, which is used to manufacture critical components of its aircraft, the media report read. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said: Russian titanium sales are "one of the few areas of business where it is in the interest of no party to disrupt the current situation," according to WSJ. Airbus is not the only Western company still buying titanium but is among the biggest aerospace firms still doing so. Titanium has increasingly become important material in aircraft production because of its high strength-to-weight ratio and resilience against corrosion.  Worldwide about 13% of it comes from Russia, according to the US Geological Survey. G7 nations imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. (Source: Big News Network 06/23/22) European plane maker calls on West to avoid sanctions on Russian titanium (bignewsnetwork.com)

Gulf Coast Note: Airbus USA has manufacturing facilities in Columbus, Miss., and Mobile, Ala.

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