EADS and UKAD, the joint venture between Aubert & Duval and UKTMP, have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of titanium semi-finished products for forging parts and fasteners for EADS programs including Airbus aircraft. The agreement, which was signed at The Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, covers the supply of titanium products until 2022.

Further to the Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2010, this new agreement continues the implementation of a fully integrated titanium supply chain between Aubert & Duval, UKTMP and EADS. While UKAD is in charge of transforming UKTMP titanium ingots into semi-finished products, Aubert & Duval is responsible for producing forging parts required in the production of aircraft components.

In addition to this strategic agreement, EADS and UKTMP have agreed to enter into a new long-term agreement that will ensure the delivery of titanium raw materials to UKAD as well as to other EADS suppliers until 2022. EADS will benefit from UKTMP's new Titanium melting facility. The current discussions with the two partners confirm the growing importance of UKTMP as a key supplier of titanium raw material for the entire EADS Group.

Titanium alloys are being used more and more in aircraft production, due to their low densities, high strength and resistance to corrosion.