Carpenter on course to supply aerospace superalloy powder market
June 17, 2015
Carpenter Technology Corporation has stated that it remains confident that operations will begin soon at its new superalloy powder facility in Alabama, USA, as part of a multi-level agreement with United Technologies Corporation’s (UTC) Pratt & Whitney Division. The agreement with UTC was signed in October 2013 and includes Carpenter supplying Pratt & Whitney with superalloy powder for up to 20 years once qualifications are satisfied.
Gregory A Pratt, Carpenter’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “We’re extremely excited to produce an aerospace superalloy powder with demand volumes directly linked to the move by engine manufacturers to develop better fuel-efficient engines. Carpenter is also optimistic that demand for superalloy powder will begin to grow in other key markets we serve.”
As part of the agreement, UTC’s aerospace business units (Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., UTC Aerospace Systems and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation) have agreed to purchase alloy steel bar/billet, nickel superalloy billet, stainless bar/billet, and strip laminate products from Carpenter for a period of ten years. Carpenter currently supplies UTC’s aerospace businesses with a portion of their overall demand for nickel, stainless, and strip laminate products.
Pratt added, “Our relationship with UTC has allowed us to expand our position as a key supplier in the fast-growing aerospace market. With the recent opening of our technologically advanced lean manufacturing facility in Alabama, which is adjacent to the superalloy powder facility, our ability to supply ultra-premium products for the aerospace market has never been better.”
