Located in Marchin, in Belgium’s Province of Liège, the 10,000-m² site has been constructed on a fully rehabilitated former steel industry site. The €108 million investment positions Safran Blades as a centre of excellence, reinforcing the capabilities of Safran Aero Boosters, particularly in low-pressure compressor technologies.

“This is far more than a factory launch,” said Olivier Andriès, Safran CEO. “We are securing our value chains while jointly building a stronger, more sustainable European aeronautics industry.”

Smart Manufacturing at Scale

Safran Blades stands out as a benchmark in digital industrialisation, incorporating Factory 4.0 principles—automation, robotics, connected devices, AI, and massive data analytics. These technologies enable real-time quality control and production of over 2,000 titanium blades per day, or one blade every 20 seconds. By 2026, annual production is expected to reach 700,000 units, mainly for LEAP1 and GEnx engines powering Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Recognised by Agoria as one of Belgium’s most innovative companies, Safran Blades proudly carries the “Factory of the Future” label.

Public-Private Partnership in Action

The plant was realised through a strategic partnership between Safran Aero Boosters (56%), Wallonie Entreprendre (28%), and the Belgian Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM) (16%), illustrating strong public-private collaboration to bolster industrial sovereignty.

Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister Jan Jambon underlined the geopolitical and economic relevance: “Relocating compressor blade production to Belgium strengthens technological expertise while reinforcing the supply chain amid global uncertainties.”

Wallonia’s government has been equally committed. Minister-President Adrien Dolimont announced an additional €16.3 million subsidy to further support the WINGS innovation initiative, aimed at shaping the carbon-free aeronautics of tomorrow. Walloon Minister of Economy and Industry Pierre-Yves Jeholet added, “This plant is the embodiment of an innovative, sustainable, sovereign industrial Wallonia—rooted in its territory and primed for transition.”

Future-Focused and People-Powered

Once fully operational, Safran Blades will employ 150 highly qualified staff, blending cutting-edge technology with human expertise. CEO of Safran Aero Boosters François Lepot praised the role of Belgium’s aeronautics cluster: “The financial support from the Walloon region and Belgium is crucial for launching high-value projects and maintaining global competitiveness.”

For Mathieu Deladrière, CEO of Safran Blades, the project signifies more than output. “We’ve created a collective dynamic in which robotics enhances—not replaces—human value, generating new jobs and anchoring industry in the region.”