Magellan Aerospace Corporation on Thursday announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aequs Private Limited to explore the development of a business plan for setting up a 50/50 jointly-owned aerospace sand casting facility to come up in the Aerospace Cluster in Belagavi.
The proposed facility aims to meet sand casting demands in the growing aerospace industry.
This increased sand casting capacity will support both commercial and the defence sectors.
Currently, India has a limited number of aerospace-qualified NADCAP sand casting facilities.
This new venture aims to enhance sand casting capabilities in Southeast Asia.
Magellan is a centre of excellence for sand casting in North America, with an ability to cast complex geometries in the industry utilizing the chemically bonded sand process.
The North American facility has the expertise in utilizing innovative, leading technologies such as 3D sand printing, robotics, digital radiography and automated differential pressure bottom pouring.
India’s aerospace sector has experienced growth over the past decade, driven by government initiatives, including Make in India and UDAN Scheme, growth in the private sector and increasing air traffic.
Air travel demand in India has surged, making it one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.
In 2007, Aequs and Magellan established Aerospace Processing India (API), a joint venture that was the first third party facility approved by both Airbus and Boeing in India, providing innovative surface treatment solutions not readily available in India.
In 2024, Magellan and Aequs entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the development of a business plan for a jointly owned facility for maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft engines in Karnataka.
These ventures demonstrate the foundation of the Aequs and Magellan relationship that aims to deliver effective solutions to support a global customer base.
Commenting on this newly agreed-to MoU, Chairman and CEO, Aequs, Aravind Melligeri said, “This proposal to explore the setting up of a sand casting facility with our long-time partner Magellan Aerospace at the Belagavi Aerospace Cluster is aligned with our commitment to offer our customers world class manufacturing processes and technologies. It will also contribute to the vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities that Aequs operates at the cluster. Advancements in sand casting technology have made it possible to provide lightweight yet robust components made to stringent standards that the aerospace industry demands.”
President and CEO, Magellan Aerospace, Phillip Underwood said, “With the anticipated aerospace and aviation growth, this potential new sand casting venture in India will focus on infrastructure development, cost advantages, capacity increase and strategic initiatives that are essential to realizing the sector’s global potential. Magellan is committed to helping grow this commodity in India. We are ready to meet the growing needs of our castings customers with cost-effective and quality solutions they have come to expect,” he said, according to a press release here.
Published – March 06, 2025 07:38 pm IST