Safran
A major French aerospace and defense supplier that utilizes additive manufacturing for producing lighter, more efficient engine and aircraft components.
- CEO / Founder
- Olivier Andriès
- Team Size
- 10000+
- Stage
- Public
- Total Funding
- Publicly Traded
- Key Investors
- French State, Capital Group, BlackRock, TCI Fund Management
Technology & Products
Key Products
Aircraft engines, Helicopter engines, Rocket propulsion systems, Landing systems, Nacelles and thrust reversers, Aircraft electrical systems, Aircraft interiors, Avionics and defense electronics
Technological Advantage
By mastering additive manufacturing, Safran can produce complex, single-piece components that were previously impossible to make, leading to significant weight reduction, improved performance, and shorter production cycles. This vertical integration in AM provides a strong competitive advantage in creating more efficient and sustainable aerospace products.
Patent position
Safran’s powder bed fusion share rose from 62% to 87%, while its filings fell 11% to 62 patent families in 2022–2024 from 70 in 2019–2021, versus a 16% fall in tracked AM filings in the same patent offices. AMPulse analysis
- Filing momentum
- 62 families filed 2022–2024, 70 in 2019–2021 (-11%); all tracked AM filings in the same offices -16%
- Process mix, 2019–2021 → 2022–2024
- Powder bed fusion 62% → 87%
- Focus, 2019–2021 → 2022–2024
- Materials 76% → 76%Applications 55% → 31%Equipment 37% → 29%
- Filed in
- EP 34%CN 33%US 32%WO 31%
- Named competitors, AM patent families
- GE Aviation 20Rolls-Royce 107
157 AM patent families in total. Recent years are still being published, so read a filing change against the same-office figure.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Providing high-performance, reliable, and innovative solutions for the aerospace and defense industries, leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies like AM to enhance performance, reduce weight, and improve fuel efficiency.
How They Differentiate
Safran differentiates itself through its comprehensive portfolio covering a wide range of aircraft systems beyond propulsion, such as landing gear, nacelles, and cabin interiors. The company has a strong focus on decarbonization and is a leader in developing more sustainable aviation technologies, heavily supported by its advanced materials and additive manufacturing capabilities.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Aircraft manufacturers (commercial, military, regional, and business), airlines, helicopter operators, armed forces, and space agencies.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace, Defense, Space
Competitors
GE Aviation; Rolls-Royce; Pratt & Whitney
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
2025 Revenue: €31.3 billion. Employees: 110,000+
Major Milestones
2005: Creation of Safran from the merger of Snecma and Sagem., 2011: First flight of an aircraft powered by a LEAP engine., 2018: Acquisition of Zodiac Aerospace, significantly expanding its aircraft interiors business., 2021: Olivier Andriès becomes CEO of Safran., 2022: Inauguration of the Safran Additive Manufacturing Campus near Bordeaux, France., 2026-06: Agreement with Airbus and Tikehau Capital for joint acquisition of Aubert & Duval., 2026-07: End of exclusive negotiations for potential acquisition of Exail Technologies.
Notable Customers
Airbus; Boeing; Dassault Aviation; Embraer; Major airlines worldwide (e.g., Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, United Airlines); Various national armed forces
Official records
Filings, certifications, and programme counts AMPulse can show for this company.
- [C] ISO_9001 · claimed
- [C] AS9100 · claimed
- [F] Horizon / CORDIS · 1 AM awardProject records derived from CORDIS, the European Union research results portal, CC BY 4.0.
- [F] European Network for Alloys Behaviour Law Enhancement · 2018
AM patents
AM-relevant patents linked to this company.
- Patents
- 204
- Granted
- 52
- Families
- 157
Leading domains: process (200), material (146), application (88)
Filings by year: 2025: 1 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 31
- SAND BLASTING MEDIA AND METHOD OF SURFACE TREATMENT USING SUCH SAND BLASTING MEDIA3980218 · EP
- IMPROVED METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A COMPONENT BY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING116940427 · CN
- Method for manufacturing a workpiece by additive manufacturing11511349 · US
- Additive manufacturing method for a metal part12343813 · US
- METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A METAL ALLOY PART FOR A TURBINE ENGINE04313480 · EP
Equipment deals on record
Publicly disclosed purchases or installs only.
- NXG XII 600
Not disclosed
Buyer: Safran · Supplier: Nikon SLM Solutions - NXG XII 600
1 systems · Not disclosed
Buyer: Safran Additive Manufacturing Campus · Supplier: Nikon SLM Solutions - NXG XII 600
1 systems · Not disclosed
Buyer: Safran Additive Manufacturing Campus · Supplier: Nikon SLM Solutions