The German aerostructures supplier Premium AEROTEC signed another contract for work packages for the new A350 XWB at the Paris Airshow 2009 in Le Bourget today. In addition to the fuselage structures for the forward fuselage section (section 13/14) and the side shells of the aft fuselage section (section 16/18), it now has also been awarded with contracts for the floor structure and the aft pressure bulkhead in the aft fuselage section (section 16/18). The volume of this order is approximately $500 million, making Premium AEROTEC the largest aerostructures supplier for this new aircraft type.

The aerostructures supplier Premium AEROTEC, operative since January 2009, was selected by Airbus from a number of competitors to develop and manufacture both the aft passenger deck floor structure as well as the aft pressure bulkhead for the new Airbus A350 XWB. The volume of these two work packages is approximately $500 million. The contract signing ceremony took place on the first day of the world's most important air show, the Paris Air Show 2009 in Le Bourget.

The aft pressure bulkhead made of carbon fiber composites (CFRP) will be the third high-tech aircraft structural component developed and manufactured by Premium AEROTEC using the VAP® (Vacuum Assisted Process) infusion process, a patented process developed in-house.

"Our VAP® technology is gaining increasing recognition. As well as the aft pressure bulkhead for the A350 XWB, we are already producing the cargo door for the A400M as well as the aft pressure bulkhead for the B787 Dreamliner using this technology", said Joachim Nägele, Head of Programs and Sales at Premium AEROTEC an member of its Board of Management.

Hans Lonsinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Premium AEROTEC, can also envisage this technology being used in other

areas of industry. "VAP® technology is unique worldwide and not only sets new standards in aircraft manufacturing, but will also find use in other industrial sectors", he said.

The floor structure for section 16/18 is made of an aluminiumlithium- titanium alloy that is not only extremely light, but also very strong. It is assembled by Premium AEROTEC as a complete subassembly and will be delivered to the final assembly line "just in time". Premium AEROTEC delivers floor structures for the entire Airbus range of aircraft.

Premium AEROTEC has more than 6,000 employees and expects to generate revenues of about one billion Euros for 2009. Premium AEROTEC's core business is the development and manufacturing of metal and carbon composite aerostructures and the corresponding production systems. The company has plants in Augsburg, Nordenham and Varel and is part of the EADS Group.