Safran’s New €108 Million Factory in Belgium to Revolutionize Compressor Blade Production for Aircraft Engines

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Safran’s New €108 Million Factory in Belgium to Revolutionize Compressor Blade Production for Aircraft Engines

(IN BRIEF) Safran Blades has opened a new state-of-the-art facility in Marchin, Belgium, designed to produce titanium compressor blades for aircraft engines. This €108 million investment strengthens Safran Aero Boosters’ position in the aeronautics sector, with the plant expected to produce 700,000 blades annually by 2026. Fully digitized and utilizing advanced technologies like robotics and AI, the factory operates with precision and minimal environmental impact. This initiative is part of Safran’s strategy to strengthen its supply chain and secure its technological leadership. With support from Walloon and Belgian authorities, Safran Blades aims to create 150 new jobs and contribute to Belgium’s industrial rejuvenation. Key stakeholders, including local and federal government officials, praised the project for its innovation, sustainability, and positive impact on the regional economy.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 4-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Safran Blades, a state-of-the-art factory producing titanium compressor blades for aircraft engines, was officially opened in Marchin, Province of Liège, Belgium, by Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of the Wallonia Government; Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Walloon Minister of Economy and Industry; and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran. This plant is dedicated to manufacturing one of the key components of aircraft engines, the titanium compressor blades, which are used in large quantities within each engine.

The factory represents an investment of 108 million euros and reinforces Safran Aero Boosters’ industrial leadership in the production of low-pressure compressors. The project is a collaborative effort with public authorities in Wallonia and the Belgian Federation, with Wallonie Entreprendre holding 28%, the Belgian Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM) holding 16%, and Safran Aero Boosters holding a majority 56% stake.

This 10,000-square-meter facility, built on previously industrialized land, has been fully cleaned and repurposed. Designed to meet the highest international standards, the factory is fully digitized and integrates advanced technologies such as automation, robotics, AI, and data analytics. This innovative setup is part of Safran’s broader effort to optimize manufacturing precision, reduce errors, and enhance productivity while also minimizing its environmental impact. Recognized for its innovation, the plant was awarded the “Factory of the Future” label in 2025 by Agoria, Belgium’s technology trade federation.

Safran Blades is integral to Safran’s strategy of securing its supply chain. By 2026, the plant will produce 700,000 titanium blades annually, specifically for LEAP1 and GEnx engines, which are used in Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The facility will ultimately employ 150 highly-skilled workers. Each blade will be produced every 20 seconds, underscoring the scale of operations.

Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, expressed: “Safran Blades is more than just a new factory; it represents a leap in technological, industrial, and environmental advancements. It reinforces our commitment to strengthening the aeronautics sector in Europe and ensuring sustainable growth.”

Jan Jambon, Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Finance and Pensions, commented, “Relocating the production of compressor blades to Belgium strengthens Safran Aero Boosters’ technological capabilities and secures the supply chain in challenging global circumstances. This initiative aligns with Belgium’s efforts to rejuvenate its industrial base.”

Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of Wallonia, added, “The creation of Safran Blades is a testament to Wallonia’s commitment to supporting a cutting-edge, sustainable, and sovereign aeronautics industry. This initiative also aligns with our WINGS program, a collaborative effort between research and industry to build the aviation technologies of tomorrow.”

Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Walloon Minister of Economy and Industry, emphasized, “This factory showcases the dynamic, innovative, and sustainable industrial future we want for Wallonia. The project not only supports regional priorities but also exemplifies our commitment to the industrial transition, creating new jobs and contributing to energy and economic progress.”

François Lepot, CEO of Safran Aero Boosters, highlighted the significance of the support from both the Walloon region and the federal government, which is pivotal to maintaining competitive advantage on the global stage.

Mathieu Deladrière, CEO of Safran Blades, concluded, “Through strong partnerships in Wallonia and Europe, we’ve established an industrial ecosystem that turns robotics into human value, creating new jobs and driving regional industrial growth.”

Media contact:

Communication Manager – Safran Aero Boosters
Raphaëlle WIDART
Safran Aero Boosters
+32 496 13 63 98
raphaelle.widart@safrangroup.com

Porte-parole
Nathalie Lafontaine
Wallonie Entreprendre
+32 476 93 38 49
nathalie.lafontaine@wallonie-entreprendre.be

Communication
Joël Decerf
SFPIM
+32 2 210 18 87
j.decerf@sfpim.be

Safran is an international high-tech group operating in the fields of aeronautics (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space, and defense. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable, and accessible. Safran has operations on every continent, with 100,000 employees and sales of €27.3 billion in 2024. Working alone or in partnership, the Group holds leading positions in its core markets on a global and European level. 

Safran Blades is a plant specialized in the manufacture of compressor blades for aircraft engines. This 10,000-m2 center of excellence is located in Marchin in Belgium on a former steel industry site that has been completely renovated, while incorporating the best of Safran’s industrial technology, in order to meet the highest international standards. Bringing together automated equipment, highly-qualified personnel and the most advanced digital technologies, this new 4.0 Factory will produce more than 2,000 blades a day, with innovative, autonomous real-time quality control at every critical stage of production. 

Wallonie Entreprendre contributes to the development of the regional economy by intervening financially in the development projects of Walloon companies and companies established in Wallonia. In conjunction with private investors, it supports their growth through both equity investments and loans.

La S.F.P.I.M (Société Fédérale de Participations et d’Investissement) is the Belgian sovereign fund. The SFPIM aims to be a trusted partner and to help Belgian companies, both established SMEs and scale-ups, become leaders in their sector by providing smart capital solutions.
It also plays an important role in the long-term stability of the Belgian economy. It helps to anchor strategic assets through smart capital solutions for successful and emerging companies and ecosystems. It also manages assets on behalf of the Federal State and performs diverse delegated missions, such as managing the budget for the ecological transition.

SOURCE: Safran

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