Advanced composites company, Hexcel, has announced that the scope of its long-term supplier contract with Safran has been expanded to include advanced composite materials for a broader range of commercial aerospace applications. Safran is an international group and tier-1 supplier of systems and equipment in the aerospace and defence markets.

For more than three decades, Hexcel has been a trusted, leading supplier of high-performance, advanced composites such as carbon fibre, adhesives, prepregs, dry fabrics, and honeycomb core to Safran programmes. Since 2013, Hexcel HexTow IM7 carbon fibre has been supplied for the LEAP- 1A, -1B, and -1C engine programmes. That contract now has been amended to include HexTow IM7 for the GE9X engine that powers the Boeing 777X.The contract also includes Hexcel core, adhesives, prepregs, and fabrics for additional applications on engine nacelles and aircraft interiors, according to a press release by Hexcel.

“It was time to include Safran cabin, Safran seats and Safran aerosystems within our global long-term agreement. Hexcel has shown again, during this difficult period of time, that they are a strong and reliable long-term partner,” Thierry Viguier, vice president, Safran materials purchasing said.

“This contract expansion is the result of a successful, collaborative relationship between Safran and Hexcel that started more than 35 years ago to serve the aerospace industry. This agreement will further strengthen the long-term partnership between our companies and reinforces our strategic position within Safran’s First Circle suppliers,” Thierry Merlot, president Aerospace Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Industrial said.