Amsterdam rolled and extruded aluminium leader Constellium N.V. said yesterday that it has entered into a decade-long contract with Airbus to supply specialized aluminium for the aerospace firm’s entire product lineup.
Per the firm, the ten-year agreement will have Constellium supply a wide variety of specialty rolled and extruded aluminium, including components like wing-skin panels, aluminium sheet for fuselage panels, and pre-machined plates for use in constructing structural components.
In addition to the above, Constellium said it will continue to offer its proprietary blend aluminium-lithium alloy named “Airware” to Airbus, which it describes as a proven technology that features a unique combination of strength and light weight.
Constellium’s CEO Jean-Marc Germain noted that the agreement is but the latest of several between the two firms that has benefited both firms over the years.
“This agreement strengthens the long-standing partnership between Constellium and Airbus and further demonstrates the leadership role that Constellium holds in the market for advanced aluminium products and solutions. We look forward to working with Airbus to continue growing our relationship through our comprehensive product development, manufacturing, supply chain and recycling capabilities.”
Constellium says it will produce the aluminium needed for the contract at its twin plants in France (located in Issoire and Montreuil-Juigné) and at its Ravenswood plant in West Virginia.
Constellium, based in Amsterdam, was founded 1855 as Henri Merle et Compagnie and subsequently renamed Pechiney in 1950. Pechiney was purchased by Alcan in 2003, which was purchased by Rio Tinto in 2007. In 2011 Rio Tinto sold Alcan Engineered Products to Apollo Management (51%) and FSI (10%). Constellium produces rolled and extruded aluminium products from various alloys, bringing in €5.69 billion of revenue in 2018.