15-06-2009 Premium AEROTEC signs contract for work packages for new Airbus A350 XWB in Le Bourget making it the largest Tier-1 aerostructures supplier

The aerostructures supplier Premium AEROTEC, operative since January 2009, was selected by Airbus from a number of competitors to develop and manufacture both the aft passenger deck floor structure as well as the aft pressure bulkhead for the new Airbus A350 XWB. The volume of these two work packages is approximately $500 million. The contract signing ceremony took place on the first day of the world’s most important air show, the Paris Air Show 2009 in Le Bourget.

The aft pressure bulkhead made of carbon fiber composites (CFRP) will be the third high-tech aircraft structural component developed and manufactured by Premium AEROTEC using the VAP® (Vacuum Assisted Process) infusion process, a patented process developed in-house.

"Our VAP® technology is gaining increasing recognition. As well as the aft pressure bulkhead for the A350 XWB, we are already producing the cargo door for the A400M as well as the aft pressure bulkhead for the B787 Dreamliner using this technology", said Joachim Nägele, Head of Programs and Sales at Premium AEROTEC an member of its Board of Management.

Hans Lonsinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Premium AEROTEC, can also envisage this technology being used in other areas of industry. “VAP® technology is unique worldwide and not only sets new standards in aircraft manufacturing, but will also find use in other industrial sectors“, he said.

The floor structure for section 16/18 is made of an aluminium-lithium-titanium alloy that is not only extremely light, but also very strong. It is assembled by Premium AEROTEC as a complete subassembly and will be delivered to the final assembly line "just in time". Premium AEROTEC delivers floor structures for the entire Airbus range of aircraft.