ATI Opens Advanced Titanium Alloy Sheet Facility in South Carolina

ATI’s Strategic Expansion into Titanium Alloy Sheet Production: Strengthening America’s Aerospace Supply Chain Through South Carolina Investment

The opening of ATI Inc.’s titanium alloy sheet production facility in Pageland, South Carolina, marks a pivotal moment for American aerospace manufacturing and domestic supply chain security. This facility, which brings approximately 70 new jobs to Chesterfield County, is designed to address critical industry needs in an environment increasingly shaped by geopolitical and technical challenges. At a time when Western nations are seeking to reduce reliance on Russian and Chinese titanium, ATI’s investment bolsters both regional economic growth and national strategic interests.

Beyond job creation, the Pageland plant is a technical achievement that positions ATI as a leader in the global titanium sheet market. With long-term supply agreements secured with major aerospace manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, the new facility is poised to play a key role in supporting the United States’ aerospace and defense sectors. Its establishment also reinforces South Carolina’s status as a premier hub for advanced manufacturing, while contributing to the state’s growing aerospace cluster.

Company Background and Strategic Positioning

ATI Inc., formerly Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, has a storied industrial heritage stretching back to the American Revolution. The company’s present form was shaped by the 1996 merger of Teledyne and Allegheny Ludlum Corporation, combining expertise in aerospace, electronics, and specialty steel alloys. Over decades, ATI has grown into a global specialty materials company with a diverse product portfolio, including titanium and its alloys, nickel-based superalloys, stainless and specialty steels, and advanced forgings and castings.

ATI’s transformation into an aerospace and defense powerhouse has accelerated in recent years. By the first quarter of 2025, 66% of its revenue was derived from aerospace and defense contracts, a marked increase from 59% a year earlier. This strategic pivot was recognized in May 2025 when ATI was reclassified into the S&P Aerospace & Defense Index. The company’s facilities span the U.S. and international regions, with major titanium sponge plants in Oregon and Utah, and a total annual titanium capacity of 40 million pounds following significant capital investments.

ATI’s historical expertise in jet engine alloys and specialty metals is rooted in pioneering work by industry leaders like James Nisbet, whose innovations in vacuum melting and superalloy production have played a foundational role in modern aerospace applications. Today, ATI leverages this heritage to deliver advanced materials for demanding aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.

The Pageland Facility: Technical Specifications and Operations

The Pageland plant is ATI’s most advanced titanium alloy sheet facility, encompassing 125,000 square feet and designed specifically for the production of “pack rolled sheet”, a technically challenging product that few global manufacturers can deliver. The facility is capable of producing ultra-thin titanium sheets as thin as 0.020 inches and up to 25 feet in length, meeting the highest standards for aerospace surface quality and dimensional precision.

The manufacturing process is vertically integrated, with melting, rolling, leveling, annealing, finishing, and inspection all performed on-site. This integration streamlines production, enhances quality control, and reduces lead times. The facility’s high level of automation ensures that ATI can consistently meet stringent aerospace requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.

Sustainability was a core consideration in the facility’s design. The plant utilizes all-electric furnaces, aligning with South Carolina’s shift toward greener energy, and features advanced water-jacketed pickle lines that result in zero air emissions and minimal wastewater discharge. In 2024, ATI achieved 81% recycled content in its metals production, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

“With our Pageland facility fully online and in production, we now offer a full complement of titanium materials, producing quality titanium sheets wider and longer than anyone in the industry.”

, Kimberly A. Fields, ATI President and CEO

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The direct creation of nearly 70 jobs at the Pageland facility is only part of its broader economic impact. South Carolina’s aerospace sector offers wages averaging 40% higher than the state mean, reflecting the high-skill nature of these roles. The state’s Manufacturing wages have also seen remarkable growth, now surpassing traditional manufacturing states like Michigan, a testament to South Carolina’s successful transition from textiles to advanced industries.

Multiplier effects from aerospace investments are well documented. For example, each aerospace job at Boeing’s Charleston plant generated 2.6 additional jobs in the region within five years of its opening. While ATI’s facility is smaller in scale, similar economic benefits are expected for Chesterfield County. The project has received state support through job development credits and a $550,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant, further underlining its regional importance.

State and local officials have emphasized the facility’s alignment with South Carolina’s strengths in workforce readiness, infrastructure, and business climate. The plant’s location in the Lynches River Industrial Park provides strategic access to transportation and utilities, supporting efficient operations and future growth.

Strategic Market Positioning and Long-term Agreements

The Pageland facility is central to ATI’s long-term market strategy, underpinned by multi-year supply agreements with leading aerospace manufacturers. Notably, ATI has extended and expanded its titanium products agreement with Boeing, covering a comprehensive range of titanium materials for all major Commercial-Aircraft programs. This agreement also supports Boeing’s subsidiaries, including Spirit AeroSystems, and includes titanium alloy sheet produced at Pageland.

ATI has also secured a multi-year agreement with Airbus for titanium plate, sheet, and billet, with Pageland serving as the dedicated source for sheet products. These Contracts provide ATI with stable revenue streams and balanced exposure to global aerospace markets, while reducing reliance on any single customer or region.

These agreements are timely, given the robust aircraft production pipelines at Boeing and Airbus, both of which maintain combined backlogs exceeding 10,000 aircraft. The demand for titanium alloy sheet is particularly acute, as it is essential for the strength, durability, and weight reduction required in modern airframe design.

“This agreement reaffirms ATI’s leadership in titanium at a time of accelerating aerospace production and growing demand for differentiated materials.”

, Kimberly Fields, ATI CEO, on the Boeing agreement

Advertisement

South Carolina’s Aerospace Industry Ecosystem

ATI’s investment builds upon South Carolina’s emergence as a national aerospace leader. The state’s aerospace cluster contributes an estimated $38.3 billion annually to the economy and supports over 143,000 jobs. Since 2019, aerospace employment in South Carolina has grown by 21.7%, outpacing all other states, and wage growth in the sector leads the nation.

Boeing’s decision to locate its 787 Dreamliner assembly plant in North Charleston in 2009 catalyzed the state’s aerospace expansion. Between 2010 and 2021, South Carolina added approximately 6,000 aerospace jobs, exceeding initial projections. The ecosystem now includes over 400 private sector firms, major defense manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, and a robust network of suppliers and service providers.

Workforce development and educational partnerships are integral to sustaining this growth, ensuring a pipeline of skilled labor for advanced manufacturing. ATI’s Pageland plant fills a critical gap in the supply chain, adding specialized titanium sheet capabilities to the state’s aerospace portfolio.

Global Titanium Market Dynamics and Supply Chain Security

The Pageland facility’s significance is amplified by global titanium market trends and supply chain security concerns. China and Russia dominate the world’s titanium supply, with China controlling 67% of global titanium sponge production and Russia being a major exporter. Recent geopolitical tensions and potential export restrictions have underscored the vulnerability of Western aerospace manufacturers to supply disruptions.

The global titanium alloy market is projected to grow from $5 billion in 2024 to $7.2 billion by 2031, driven by increasing aircraft production and the development of next-generation airframes. Aerospace applications account for nearly 40% of titanium alloy demand, with North America leading the market due to its advanced manufacturing base and defense spending.

Western nations are accelerating efforts to secure domestic titanium supply chains, providing opportunities for companies like ATI. The Pageland plant’s ability to produce technically challenging titanium alloy sheets domestically reduces reliance on foreign sources and supports national security objectives.

Technological Innovation and Sustainability

The technical complexity of producing pack rolled titanium sheet gives ATI a competitive edge. The Pageland facility’s advanced automation, vertical integration, and stringent quality controls set new industry standards for efficiency and product consistency. These capabilities are essential for meeting the demanding requirements of aerospace customers.

Sustainability is also a key differentiator. With all-electric furnaces, water-efficient processing, and high recycled content, the facility demonstrates how advanced manufacturing can achieve both operational excellence and environmental responsibility. These initiatives align with broader industry trends toward greener supply chains and circular economy practices.

ATI’s broader technological capabilities, including research into additive manufacturing, position the company to capitalize on future innovations in titanium processing and aerospace design. The company’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures it remains at the forefront of specialty materials manufacturing.

Conclusion

ATI’s Pageland titanium alloy sheet facility is a strategically significant investment that advances American aerospace manufacturing, strengthens domestic supply chains, and supports South Carolina’s economic development. The plant’s technical achievements, environmental performance, and long-term customer agreements position ATI as a global leader in titanium sheet production.

As global aerospace production accelerates and supply chain security becomes increasingly critical, ATI’s investment in South Carolina provides a model for how advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and economic development can align to deliver lasting benefits. The Pageland facility not only addresses immediate industry needs but also sets the stage for future growth, innovation, and resilience in the U.S. aerospace sector.

FAQ

What products does the ATI Pageland facility manufacture?
The facility specializes in producing ultra-thin, high-quality titanium alloy sheets for aerospace and defense applications, with capabilities for sheets as thin as 0.020 inches and up to 25 feet in length.

How many jobs has the Pageland plant created?
The plant has created approximately 70 new jobs in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, with additional regional economic benefits expected through supply chain and multiplier effects.

Why is domestic titanium production important?
Domestic production reduces reliance on foreign sources, particularly from China and Russia, and strengthens supply chain security for critical aerospace and defense applications.

How does the facility address sustainability?
The Pageland plant uses all-electric furnaces, efficient water-jacketed pickle lines, and achieves zero air emissions and minimal wastewater discharge. ATI’s overall metals production reached 81% recycled content in 2024.

Who are ATI’s main aerospace customers?
ATI has secured long-term supply agreements with Boeing and Airbus, supporting a wide range of commercial and defense aircraft programs.

Sources:
Columbia Business Report,
ATI Inc,
ATI Materials,
Wikipedia: ATI Inc.