Airbus expands aluminium supply network as SeAH joins aerospace materials chain

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As global aircraft production accelerates and supply chain pressures persist, Airbus has added South Korea's SeAH Aerospace & Defense (SeAH A&D) to its aluminium supply network, making the company the first Korean materials supplier to secure a direct long-term agreement with the European aircraft manufacturer.

The agreement, signed during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, reflects a broader industry effort to secure reliable sources of high-strength aerospace materials as demand for new aircraft continues to outpace the availability of certified suppliers.

Airbus secures future aluminium supply

Under the long-term agreement, SeAH A&D will begin the quality certification process for its high-strength aluminium alloys during the second half of 2026. The materials are intended for Airbus fuselage and wing structures, with commercial production and deliveries expected to begin in 2028.

In an unusual move, Airbus signed the agreement before the certification process had been completed, highlighting the growing importance of securing future material supply as aerospace manufacturers face tightening supply chains and increasing production requirements.

According to SeAH, the agreement reflects confidence in the company's manufacturing capabilities, process control technology and quality standards.

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Global footprint continues to grow

The Airbus agreement marks another milestone in SeAH A&D's expansion into the global aerospace aluminium market, following a similar long-term supply agreement with Boeing signed in December 2025.

The company already supplies aluminium materials to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Embraer and is expanding production capacity through a new manufacturing facility in Changnyeong, South Korea, which is scheduled to begin operations in 2027.

The additional capacity is expected to support customers across the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.

High-strength aluminium at the centre of aerospace demand

At the Farnborough International Airshow, SeAH A&D showcased its portfolio of high-strength aluminium alloys for commercial aircraft, defence platforms and urban air mobility (UAM) applications.

The company highlighted its process control technology, designed to deliver lightweight aluminium components while maintaining the structural strength required for critical aircraft applications such as wings and fuselages.

Commenting on the agreement, a SeAH A&D representative said securing a position within Airbus' supply chain validates the company's product quality and delivery capabilities, while supporting its ambition to become a leading global supplier of aerospace aluminium materials.

Airbus, a European company, secures an aluminium supply deal with a Korean company for the first time in the history of Korean aerospace history. 

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