Strong aircraft demand to fuel consumption of aluminium alloys

The aerospace industry growth trajectory reflects a strong aircraft demand in the foreseeable future. This will drive demand for aluminium alloys over the long term.

The worldwide commercial passenger and cargo aircraft fleet, as well as the annual number of passengers, are forecast to double over the next two decades. According to Deloitte, over the next 20 years, passenger and freight traffic are expected to grow at an average annual growth rate of 4.6 per cent and 4.4 per cent respectively, contributing to increases in aircraft production. The need for improvements in fuel burning, lower maintenance costs, and reduced noise and emissions alongside will drive aircraft manufacturers to optimise design solutions for a new generation of aircraft.

Airbus Group and Boeing had a combined order book of over 12,400 aircraft at of the end of the third quarter of 2015, which represents an estimated nine years of current annual production.

According to Deloitte, it is estimated that 1,420 large commercial aircraft will be produced in 2016, a 40.5 per cent increase from just five years ago. Boeing also forecasts a need for 38,050 new aircraft valued at over US$ 5.6 trillion over the next 20 years. Airbus’ Global Market Forecast for 2015- 2034 projects a demand for approximately 32,585 new passenger and freighter aircraft at a value of around US$ 4.9 trillion.

According to ALFED, the trade association representing the British aluminium industry, firms supplying the material to the big manufacturers Airbus and Boeing continue to record excellent order volumes. Long-term demand for aluminium is forecasted to continue well into the future as building rates for single aisle and long-range aircraft continue to be ramped up.

For Will Savage, CEO of ALFED, there’s an exciting future ahead for aluminium in the aviation industry: “Demand for aluminium in aviation remains strong and I predict it will really start to grow when orders for new players, like those in China, begin to take off. Just like the automotive sector, we are certain aluminium is going to play a major role in aircraft manufacture for many years to come.”

Advanced aluminium alloy technologies, including the latest Al-Lithium products, will help the designer achieve such benefits by offering the best combination of lower density, improved stiffness and corrosion resistance.

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