Companies partner for titanium powder research PRETORIA, South Africa, June 11 (UPI) -- Research that could increase the supply and use of titanium in aerospace and other industries is being undertaken by Boeing and a South African organization. Under a Memorandum of Understanding between Boeing and South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the two organizations will collaborate on processes that could bring titanium powder-based products to commercial markets on an industrial scale. "This research is important to the aviation industry because it will enable us to use titanium powder for manufacturing in ways that reduce energy consumption and waste," said Dr. William Lyons, Boeing Research & Technology director of Global Technology. South Africa has the world's second-largest reserves of titanium ore, and has developed and patented technology to convert titanium ore to titanium powder. Earlier this month, CSIR launched a titanium pilot plant to further advance titanium powder technology. "Boeing's competencies and experience regarding the applications of titanium in aerospace will hugely benefit CSIR's drive towards commercialization of titanium technologies," said Dr. Willie du Preez, director of the South African Titanium Center of Competence. Boeing said the Boeing Research & Technology organization will oversee the company's research.