On July 23rd, there was good news for the low altitude economy. At the first International Low Altitude Economy Expo, Shanghai Volant Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. (Volant) signed a tripartite cooperation agreement with Pan Pacific Limited (Pan Pacific) and China Aviation Technology International Engineering Co., Ltd. (AVIC Engineering) from Thailand. Among them, Volant Airlines signed an order for 500 eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft with Pan Pacific customers, with a total amount of 12.5 billion yuan. This milestone event in the mass export of “Made in Sichuan” aircraft not only marks China’s entry into the global market for low altitude economy, but also directly drives the demand for key metals such as aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, lithium, and rare earths. Based on current macro policies and industry trends, which metals will benefit first?
1、 Lightweight Metal: The ‘Weight Loss Password’ for Aircraft
Aluminum alloy: usage accounts for over 60%, price may rebound
Application scenario: eVTOL body frame, skin and other main structures need to balance strength and lightweight.
Demand explosion: A single eVTOL requires the consumption of over 5 tons of aluminum alloy, and 500 orders will directly drive demand for 2500 tons. By combining domestic policies to promote the localization of aviation grade aluminum alloys, the market size may exceed 80 billion yuan by 2030.
Price trend: As of July 24, 2025, the spot aluminum price on the Yangtze River is 20720 yuan/ton, supported by low inventory and strong policies in China, as well as the current low altitude economic demand, which may continue to drive up the premium of high-end aluminum materials.
Titanium alloy: a “must-have” for high-end components, accelerating domestic substitution
Core application: In high-temperature and high-strength scenarios such as engine components and fasteners, Ti Al alloys containing rare earths have better corrosion resistance.
Supply chain advantage: China’s titanium reserves account for 30% of the world’s total, but its dependence on high-end titanium imports still exceeds 60%. The Valante order will stimulate the release of domestic titanium alloy production capacity, and the demand for aviation titanium materials is expected to increase by 40% in 2025.
Target focus: Baotai Co., Ltd. (leading in military titanium materials), Western Materials (leading in 3D printing titanium alloy technology).
2、 Energy Metal: Dual Drive of Battery and Motor
Lithium: Breakthrough in solid-state battery technology, adding another flame to demand
Core logic: eVTOL needs to be equipped with high-energy density batteries to directly target 400Wh/kg. Currently, it mainly uses semi-solid state batteries and will upgrade to all solid state batteries in the future.
Price catalysis: Mengwei Technology’s 400Wh/kg lithium metal battery has passed testing and has a cycle life of over 1280 times. According to data from Changjiang Nonferrous Metals Network, the price of 99.5% Changjiang comprehensive battery grade lithium carbonate is currently reported at 70950 yuan/ton. If the mass production of solid-state batteries accelerates, lithium prices may exceed the 80000 yuan/ton mark.
Rare earth permanent magnets: the ‘ceiling’ of motor efficiency, China monopolizes 70% of global supply
Application pain points: eVTOL motors require high frequency and high torque, and neodymium iron boron magnets (with a magnetic energy product exceeding 50MGOe) are irreplaceable.
Price increase expectation: The global demand for neodymium iron boron is expected to reach 300000 tons by 2025. After China Rare Earth Group integrates resources, the price of medium and heavy rare earths may increase by 15% -20%.
3、 Special metals: an invisible ‘technological moat’
Germanium, gallium, indium: bottleneck materials for infrared and power devices
Military demand surges: Reconnaissance drones need to be equipped with germanium based infrared lenses and gallium nitride (GaN) devices to improve motor efficiency.
China’s advantage: China’s germanium reserves account for 41% of the world’s total, and its gallium and indium production exceeds 80% of the world’s total. Under geopolitical conflicts, overseas orders may prioritize purchasing from the Chinese supply chain, with a price increase of up to 30% by 2025.
Stainless steel: 3D printing reduces costs, domestication of landing gear accelerates
Technological innovation: Martensitic stainless steel achieves complex structures through 3D printing, reducing costs by 30% compared to traditional forging.
Demand estimation: A single eVTOL requires approximately 200 kilograms of stainless steel components, and 500 orders will drive a demand of 100 tons, which is beneficial for enterprises such as Taigang Stainless Steel.
4、 Macro and Market: Dual Wheel Drive of Policy and Funds
Policy dividend: Sichuan Low altitude Economic Demonstration Zone has received a special fund of 20 billion yuan, and cities such as Chengdu and Zigong are accelerating the layout of the eVTOL industry chain.
Capital flow: The A-share small metal sector has seen a net inflow of over 3.7 billion yuan in the past 5 days, led by leading stocks such as Gold Molybdenum and Northern Rare Earth.
Risk Warning: Beware of overseas trade barriers (such as EU carbon tariffs), technological substitution (substitution of carbon fiber for metals), and other risks.
In summary, based on the current export data of “Made in Sichuan” aircraft, the global competition for low altitude economy is becoming increasingly fierce, and it is expected that new metal materials will gradually become the “winner” of industrial upgrading. In the short term, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, rare earths and other varieties will benefit first; In the long run, solid-state battery materials and 3D printed special metals may become new trends. Investors can pay attention to targets such as Baotai Co., Ltd., Northern Rare Earth, Xiamen Tungsten Industry, etc., and seize the opportunities of the “technology+resources” dual main line.
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