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Brand-new Russian Alloys Could Fit Dreamliner
One of the world's largest titanium makers, Russian company Verkhnaya Salda Metals Production Assn. (VSMPO), is close to final certification of its brand-new titanium alloy, which is believed to fit Boeings 777s and the Dreamliner, said VSMPO President and CEO Vladislav Tetyukhin.
The cooperation program on 5553 alloy was launched three years ago, and recently about 10 samples were delivered to Boeing. "The alloy was developed for 777 landing gears and fuselage, but now it is evaluated for the 7E7 program," Tetyukhin claimed.
At the same time, the country's major titanium maker proceeds with negotiations on acquiring a titanium smelter facility in the United States, added Mr. Tetyukhin. Though he did not elaborate on the financial terms and timeframe for such a deal, Russian industry sources say the company is very close to takeover of the U.S. plant and that the purchase is crucial for the Russian company. Today VSMPO already supplies titanium semi-products to Boeing, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and other U.S. companies for civil aerospace uses and owns part of a U.S.-based titanium fabricator, National Forge & Machining. According to Mr. Tetyukhin, today VSMPO supplies from 65% to 70% of Airbus titanium needs, as well as 30-35% of Boeing's titanium purchases. But all these contracts cover only civil aircraft programs, as both U.S. and European manufacturers are cautious to rely on supplies from Russia. As such, a production line in the U.S. would permit access to the U.S. market for military products, boosting VSMPO sales.
—Artem Fetisov
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Manufacturer
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Country
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2003 titanium sales, ton
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Market share*, %
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|
1999
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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VSMPO
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Russia
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13,930*
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16
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18
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24
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28
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29
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|
Timet
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USA
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12,180*
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27
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28
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27
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22
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25
|
|
ATI
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USA
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2,680
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8
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9
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9
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9
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6
|
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RTI
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USA
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8,370
|
22
|
22
|
19
|
18
|
17
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Source: VSMPO annual report 2003
* Table does not include the minor titanium producers, but their market share is taken into account.
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