Qantas joins Sumitomo, Nandina REM and aircraft industry players to fund Aviation Circularity Consortium
Qantas has taken a foundation stake in a consortium hoping to recycle materials for new planes from the world’s ever-growing aircraft graveyards.
The Aviation Circularity Consortium says it will try to bridge the gap between unused materials in so-called boneyards and the growing demand for high-quality materials with green credentials.
Qantas chief sustainability officer Andrew Parker said innovative solutions were needed to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon and environmental footprints.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“There’s a lot of untapped potential in the high value materials from retired aircraft that could be recycled and used to create parts in future Qantas aircraft cabins,” Mr Parker said.
ACC hopes to produce a detailed plan for certifying recycled materials by the end of 2024 with the help of manufacturers and regulators. It says it will aim to have its materials used in “aviation products and other critical industries”.
It is open to new members as it hunts for ways to make money out of recycling some of the 8000 aircraft in boneyards across the world.
Another 11,000 aircraft are set to be scrapped over the next decade, the consortium estimates.
Other foundation partners in ACC include established aircraft parts manufacturers Jamco America and Vaupell, financier Titan Leasing and Japanese giant Sumitomo.
The group’s agenda will boost fellow foundation member Singapore-based Nandina REM, which is focused on providing low-emission materials to the aviation, aerospace and automotive industry.
Nandina REM has already developed high-grade, low-emission carbon fibre materials from recycled aircraft floorboards.
Chief executive Karina Cady said ACC’s formation was crucial in building a “collaborative industry eco-system working towards enabling high-value circularity in the global supply chain”.
“Achieving this requires collaborative effort across industry stakeholders from all fronts – manufacturers, airlines, and regulators – to bring their unique expertise and resources to the table,” she said.
