The Titanium'deficit' impact of sanctions

Critical for modern aircraft manufacturing, Russia is the key supplier of Titanium to the world's aerospace market. As sanctions kick in, a special report on what it means to aircraft manufacturing

Airbus has confirmed that it is still sourcing some of its titanium from Russian supplier VSMPO. This is despite the international sanctions that have been imposed on Russia after it invaded Ukraine on February 24. Airbus said it was complying with all international regulations and sanctions. And significantly, titanium isn't included in the sanction list. Airbus continues to source Russian titanium via subsidiaries.

Since the discovery of titanium in 1791, it has been an exceedingly coveted element in manufacturing. But it wasn't until the start of the Cold War that it began its journey into both the military and commercial aerospace industries. Today, the aerospace industry is the number one customer for titanium alloy products. There are several properties of titanium that make it well suited for the aerospace industry: the high strength to weight ratio, its resistance to corrosion, and its high-temperature performance.

As the number one customer for titanium, the aerospace industry, and the titanium industry are directly linked to each other economically. With the demand for newer, better planes on the increase; the demand for titanium is also on the rise. Countries that have considerably large military budgets, like the United States, have a high demand for titanium and consider the availability of titanium a matter of national security.

Commercial airplanes today, like the Airbus A380 and Boeing B787, use a great deal more titanium than previously engineered aircraft. However, the military aerospace industry consumes the largest amount of titanium. Military aircraft, such as the F-22, F/A-18, C-17, F-35, and the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, are among some of the military's assets that use large quantities of titanium to produce.