Norsk Titanium and Airbus Advance RPD for ASEAN Factories

Norsk Titanium and Airbus: A New Era in Aerospace Manufacturing for ASEAN Factories \\[Norsk Titanium](https://www.norsktitanium.com/), a Norwegian additive manufacturing company, has signed a Cooperation & Research Agreement (CRA) with [Airbus](https://www.airbus.com/). This partnership aims to industrialize and qualify Norsk Titanium’s proprietary Rapid Plasma Deposition (RPD) technology for the production of fatigue-critical structural titanium parts. The agreement marks a significant step towards broader adoption of RPD in commercial aerospace, particularly for ASEAN factories looking to stay competitive in the global market. \\[The FAA and EASA recently certified the Lower Frame Fitting for the Airbus A350, which is the largest and highest-classification additively manufactured aerostructure component to receive dual regulatory approval for commercial flight. This certification not only validates the RPD technology but also paves the way for its wider use in the aerospace industry. For ASEAN factories, this means access to a cutting-edge technology that can significantly reduce material waste and production time, making them more efficient and cost-competitive. \\[The CRA is structured around four work packages, each addressing key aspects of technology scaling, material and process qualification, and material expansion beyond titanium. Norsk Titanium will collaborate directly with Airbus’s DED project team, working across engineering, airworthiness, and operations at the Saint Eloi and Varel plants. This collaboration builds on previous agreements, including a Master Supply Agreement for A350 production support and a joint DED process documentation effort. The new CRA elevates these collaborations into a comprehensive industrialization framework, ensuring that RPD becomes a standard part of Airbus’s material, process, and industrial standards. \\[For ASEAN factories, the implications are profound. In countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, where the aerospace and defense industries are rapidly growing, the adoption of RPD technology can provide a significant competitive edge. By reducing the amount of purchased material that is removed during machining, RPD can help factories achieve near-net-shape parts, leading to substantial cost savings and shorter lead times. Additionally, the technology’s ability to produce large, complex components with high precision makes it ideal for meeting the stringent quality and performance requirements of the aerospace industry. \\[In conclusion, the partnership between Norsk Titanium and Airbus represents a major milestone in the industrialization of additive manufacturing. For ASEAN factories, embracing RPD technology can be a strategic move to enhance their capabilities, reduce costs, and stay ahead in the global aerospace market. As the technology continues to mature and gain broader acceptance, it is likely to become an essential tool for any factory looking to remain competitive in the years to come.