Aubert & Duval Acquisition Tightens Airbus and Safran Control of Aerospace Metals

Aubert & Duval

Aubert & Duval acquisition plans will give Airbus and Safran greater control over one of Europe’s most strategically important specialty metals producers after the two aerospace groups agreed to acquire Tikehau Capital’s stake.

Aubert & Duval acquisition will see Tikehau’s holding divided equally between Airbus and Safran, subject to regulatory approval. The three companies originally acquired the French producer from Eramet in April 2023.

Aubert & Duval acquisition is strategically significant because the company supplies specialty steels, nickel-based superalloys, titanium and forged products used across demanding aerospace and industrial applications.

The transaction deepens vertical integration between major aircraft and engine manufacturers and a critical upstream materials supplier at a time when aerospace supply chains remain constrained.

Titanium and Superalloy Supply Become More Strategic

Aubert & Duval manufactures bars, ingots, forgings and other high-value products from titanium, specialty steels and superalloys.

These materials are essential in aircraft engines, landing systems, structural components and other parts exposed to high temperatures and mechanical loads.

For Airbus and Safran, greater ownership can provide more visibility over capacity allocation, investment priorities and long-term material availability.

This is particularly important for forgings and nickel-based superalloys, where qualification requirements and long lead times can make supply difficult to replace quickly.

Titanium supply carries similar strategic importance because aerospace-grade material requires highly controlled melting, forging and machining routes.

The deal therefore goes beyond financial ownership. It gives two major aerospace manufacturers stronger influence over a critical point between primary metal production and finished aircraft components.

European Aerospace Supply Chain Moves Toward Vertical Integration

The transaction reflects a broader shift toward tighter control of strategic manufacturing capacity.

Aerospace manufacturers have faced persistent constraints across forgings, castings, engines and precision components. Owning or closely aligning with key suppliers can reduce exposure to shortages and improve production planning.

The French government’s special share in Aubert & Duval adds another layer of strategic protection, reflecting the importance of the company to national aerospace and defence supply chains.

For Europe, maintaining domestic titanium and superalloy processing capability is increasingly important as geopolitical risks and defence demand rise.

The deal also signals that downstream processing assets may become more valuable than raw material ownership alone. Melting, forging and qualification capability determine whether metal can actually enter certified aerospace programmes.

Airbus and Safran are therefore strengthening control over one of the most technically demanding parts of the European materials chain.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Airbus and Safran are moving closer to the metals that determine aircraft production capacity. Aubert & Duval’s titanium, superalloy and forging capabilities make it a strategic industrial asset, not simply another supplier.