\u201cWith Safran Blades, we are doing much more than opening a factory. We are taking a decisive lead – technologically, industrially, and environmentally. This project reflects our commitment to mastering our value chains while co-building, with our Belgian partners, a stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable European aeronautics industry<\/em>,\u201d said Olivier Andri\u00e8s, CEO of Safran.<\/p>\n\n\n As part of Safran\u2019s strategy to strengthen its autonomy and secure its supply chain, the Safran Blades facility is set to produce 700,000 titanium blades annually by 2026 – primarily for LEAP and GEnx engines powering Airbus and Boeing aircraft – equivalent to one blade every 20 seconds!<\/p>\n\n\n A new Factory 4.0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Built on a fully remediated former steel industry site, the new 10,000-m\u00b2 center of excellence, certified \u201cFactory of the Future 2025\u201d, is a modern production model, designed to meet the highest international standards. The Factory 4.0 incorporates automation, robotics, connected objects, massive data collection and artificial intelligence, which optimizes production, costs, and the environmental footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n Strong synergies with the local ecosystem <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To bring this digitalized factory to life, Safran relied on Belgian and European players, drawing on a dynamic industrial environment and cutting-edge local skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walloon companies are the beating heart of Safran Blades<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab\u00a0We designed this next-generation plant in collaboration with innovative Walloon companies<\/em>,\u00a0\u00bb explains Mathieu Deladri\u00e8re<\/strong>, CEO Safran Blades \u00ab\u00a0It’s thanks to a robust and agile local ecosystem that we were able to bring this industrial activity to Wallonia!<\/em>\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the project, Safran is working closely with two research centres: <\/p>\n\n\n\n – CRM <\/strong>\u2192 focused on optimising forging dies with the objective of making them intelligent<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Sirris<\/strong> \u2192 developing a real-time, non-contact inspection system using laser technology capable of recreating the measured blade in less than 20 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This scientific expertise is reinforced by the technological know-how of five cutting-edge companies:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ID – Desimone \u2192 <\/strong>took the lead in developing a standard production cell adaptable to various manufacturing processes, integrating diverse areas of expertise such as mechanics, automation, and specialized controls. In collaboration with Safran Blades, ID designed the plant\u2019s \u201cbackbone\u201d – a system capable of automatically derinding parts and performing inspection, marking, sorting, and laser cutting – all within a cycle time of under 20 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indutech<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192 developed a high-performance waterjet cutting machine offering\u00a0very high precision, speed, and operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n Smartyou<\/strong> \u2192 deploys the \u2018MES\u2019 system, a complete and autonomous production management IT solution. Acting as the true conductor of the workshop, it coordinates all operations in real time to ensure optimal workflow and industrial process fluidity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rovi-tech<\/strong> \u2192 is developing an automated decision-support tool and a non-destructive testing process. In collaboration with ID-Desimone, Rovi-tech is creating a tool that pre-selects parts during inspection, thereby facilitating the work of certified inspectors and enhancing the reliability of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, based on all the data collected, the Safran Blades team, together with Pepite,<\/strong> is developing an artificial intelligence capable of anticipating quality defects and adjusting tools in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than ever, Wallonia is determined to play a leading role in a fast-changing aeronautics industry, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and sovereignty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n At the inauguration of the new plant, Adrien Dolimont<\/strong>, Minister-President of the Walloon Government, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab\u00a0The creation of Safran Blades demonstrates our ability to realize an ambitious industrial project in our region within a remarkably short timeframe – just 24 months. For many years, the aerospace and defence sector has been a strategic pillar of Wallonia\u2019s industrial development.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/app.gate-31.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/blades_inauguration_034-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/app.gate-31.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/miysis_3d_safran_render-UHQ_0115aubesfront_7500-1024x576.png\")
Image \u00a9\ufe0fAnthony Lemoine. Safran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/app.gate-31.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/blades_360-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/app.gate-31.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/blades_370-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/app.gate-31.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/blades_inauguration_031-1024x683.jpg\")
Image\u00a9\ufe0fAnthony Lemoine. Safran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/app.gate-31.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/blades_054-1024x768.jpg\")