Bombardier aircraft

Aleris is to supply aluminium plates from its facility in Zhenjiang, China, to Bombardier Aerospace for use in the production of aircraft components.

The company has been so far supplying the plates from its plant in Koblenz, Germany.

Aleris chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou said: "We are pleased to expand our partnership with Bombardier as we are able to serve them now from both Europe and China."

Commissioned in early 2013, Aleris Zhenjiang is primarily designed to supply commercial aluminium aircraft plate to global and regional aircraft manufacturers.

Aleris Asia Pacific president John Zhu said: "Our qualification with Bombardier represents a significant accomplishment for us as it formally establishes Aleris Zhenjiang as a supplier to the global aerospace industry."

"Our qualification with Bombardier represents a significant accomplishment for us as it formally establishes Aleris Zhenjiang as a supplier to the global aerospace industry."

Aleris’ Zhenjiang plant secured Nadcap accreditation in June with the installation of a hot rolling mill.

The $350m mill is designed to meet demand for technically advanced aluminium plate products from global aerospace industry.

In February, Aleris signed an agreement to supply plates to Boeing from its facility in Germany. Supplies to Boeing are also being planned to be made from China.

The company is expected to commence shipments of aircraft plates in the fourth quarter.

Aleris Zhenjiang supplies commercial plates for various applications, including engineering, transportation, ship-building, and air separation units.


Image: The aluminium plates will be used to produce various components of Bombardier aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Bombardier.

Defence Technology