EADS will have an agreement agreement with Norsk Titanium Components (NTiC) that will cover the development of near net shape plasma-based layer manufacturing technologies for aerospace, defence and space applications. The agreement, which will be signed in Oslo on Monday March 15th, falls within the framework of EADS’ industrial cooperation strategy for Norway in the fields of research, development and production. NTiC has developed a near net shape additive layer manufacturing technology that enables the production of high quality titanium components at a competitive cost. This process transforms inexpensive titanium feedstock into advanced components that are up to 90 percent finished in only three processing steps and significantly reduces the amount of raw material that has to be machined away to make complex parts. Titanium and lightweight titanium alloys are used widely in the aerospace industry.