Safran Blades: Wallonia welcomes a new high-tech plant
Safran Aero Boosters, the aerospace company specialising in aircraft engines, established a production plant for jet engine compressor blades at Marchin, in Liege Province, in June 2025. This is a major investment of over €100 million, funded by both the regional and federal governments.
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The challenge is clear: “We need to take the lead in terms of technology, production and sustainability. And more importantly, given the urgent issue of deteriorating geopolitical stability, we must be able to control our value chains and resume local production”, said François Lepot, CEO of Safran Aero Boosters.
Constructed on a former steel industry wasteland which was thoroughly cleaned and restored, the plant sends a strong message. “We did not want to eat up a single additional square metre of nature’s space. Everything had to be reinvested, decontaminated and rehabilitated.” Sustainability was incorporated right from the beginning.
Our intention was to consolidate the supply of blades, which are a key component
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Wallonia was not a random choice.
The proximity of engineering teams, Wallonia’s historical industry-heavy heritage, “and partners who honour their commitments!” were all decisive factors. Wallonia welcomed the project with open arms, enabling rapid completion. The company was founded in partnership with public authorities in Wallonia and the Belgian Federation, through Wallonie Entreprendre (28%), and the Belgian Federal Holding and Investment Company (SFPIM) (16%), both shareholders alongside Safran Aero Boosters (56%). The plant is a fully digitised, automated, local and global centre of excellence. “We called upon our local partners, involving many Walloon SMEs, which are now flourishing thanks to this project.”
The regional impact has been seismic, with the creation of 150 highly skilled jobs, the establishment of a whole new ecosystem of tech SMEs that are now growing through their collaboration with Safran, and an international showcase for Wallonia. “This project is now attracting and inspiring other industries, making them want to establish themselves here.” Safran Blades has thus made one of the most transformative investments of the decade in Wallonia, and aims to produce 700,000 compressor blades a year by 2026.
