Elkem Silicones to join French Aerospace Valley cluster

Oslo – Elkem Silicones is joining Aerospace Valley, a leading European “competitive cluster” in aeronautics, space, drones, and on-board systems.

Based in south western French regions of Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Aerospace Valley has over 800 members and is ranked within "the top three of global competitiveness clusters," said Elkem in a 13 Jan statement. 

The aerospace engineering centre covers a large range of affiliates including companies such as Airbus, Air France Industries as well as research laboratories and universities.

Elkem said it will participate specifically through the structures, materials and processes ecosystem of the centre and will support the cluster “with innovative solutions”.

The company currently supplies silicone products, under brand names Bluesil, CAF or CAF  AXAD, to the aviation and aerospace industry.

The products are mainly used for mechanical, electrical, and sealing applications, from the cockpit to the engine, Elkem said. 

Silicones are widely used in parts assembly, absorbing vibrations and lubrication of moving parts, as well as for the potting and encapsulation of electronics and electrical insulation.

Elkem expects the membership to help it consolidate growth in the market. 

“We will strengthen our participation in collaborative projects with partners having skills and knowledge complementary to ours,” the company said. 

This, it added, will speed-up the development of new applications, products and services in the aerospace market.