The Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC) has released its 2050 Industry Roadmap, a series of recommendations for creating a circular economy model and contributing to global sustainability goals. The ACC, which launched in April this year, is a network of organisations working to accelerate supply chain decarbonisation by creating value from end-of-life retired aircraft, particularly the high-grade materials they contain such as aluminium, titanium, carbon fibre and composites. ACC members include Qantas, Jamco America, Nandina REM, Sumitomo Corporation Asia & Oceania, Titan Leasing, and Vaupell.
The ACC says its roadmap lays out a course for the certification of low-emission, reprocessed high-quality materials and parts for use in aviation products and other critical industries.
The 2050 Roadmap is structured around four interconnected themes – referred to in the report as pillars – each of which outlines actions stakeholders can take to prioritise circularity initiatives, whether airlines, asset owners, aircraft OEMs, regulators, parts manufacturers, materials suppliers, financial organisations or government. The four pillars are Trigger Demand, Establish Clear Technical and Regulatory Roadmap, Establish Supply and Scale Circularity Across the Supply Chain, and Design for Circularity.
Trigger Demand
The Trigger Demand pillar says that robust demand must be created for circular products and services in order to incentivise the development and adoption of circular practices. ACC’s recommended actions for airlines are to include circular material requirements in RFPs and material purchase orders; and to use procurement selection processes that drive manufacturers to utilise circular materials and develop long-term adoption pathways
Airlines should also participate in pilot opportunities where available; include circular material requirements in contracts; and share case studies with other airlines in industry forums.
Establish a Clear Technical and Regulatory Roadmap
The Establish a Clear Technical and Regulatory Roadmap pillar says that consistent and transparent guidelines should be developed to ensure a coordinated approach to circularity across the aviation sector.
The ACC recommends that airlines set up technical working groups to explore opportunities for upcoming cabin refit and line-fit programmes; identify a single part that has potential for the use of circular materials; and advocate at regulatory and industry forums for the development of circular alternatives in the aviation supply chain.
For materials suppliers, the ACC suggests they engage along the aviation supply chain to understand any current gaps in specification for circular materials, and the technical material science required to close them.
Establish Supply and Scale Circularity Across the Supply Chain
The third pillar is Establish Supply and Scale Circularity Across the Supply Chain. This action ensures the reliable supply and delivery of circular materials to meet growing demand, incentivise circular economy principles, and drive investment in the trade of circular materials.
The ACC says that airlines should include circular materials, parts and services requirements in RFPs and purchase orders; include recycling and material recovery requirements in all cabin refit RFPs; and establish material recovery and separation processes during heavy maintenance and line-fits to create zero-waste operating environments.
For aircraft OEMs, the roadmap indicates they should include circular material requirements in RFPs and new aircraft creation; include circular material requirements in zero-waste programmes; proactively begin delivery of circular materials for use in new aircraft; and establish supplies to meet future demand requirements.
Design for Circularity
The fourth and final pilar is Design for Circularity, which relates to integrating end-of-life considerations into material and product design, to facilitate the reprocessing of materials as part of a circular supply chain.
For parts manufacturers the ACC recommends they pursue a material simplification strategy to reduce the number of components that make up products; engage with suppliers, MROs and end customers for research and data collections; and leverage technology for circular design.
“Circularity provides a clear path to secure, resilient and sustainable materials, but scaling these practices requires a whole-of-industry approach,” said Karina Cady, CEO of Nandina REM, a member of the ACC. “The aviation sector is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation, and this 2050 Roadmap provides a practical plan for key players across the ecosystem to drive this shift. We invite all aviation stakeholders to join us in making circularity a reality and paving the way for a more sustainable future.”
Fiona Messent, acting chief sustainability officer at Qantas added, “Decarbonising aviation will rely on innovative partnerships to reduce the environmental footprint of the entire aviation supply chain. We’re proud to support the Aviation Circularity Consortium and the 2050 Roadmap. Together with our partners we’re collaborating on this important next step for the aviation industry to potentially leverage high-value materials from retired aircraft and integrate circular parts into future aircraft cabins.”
The ACC’s 2050 Roadmap can be downloaded at https://www.aviationcircularity.com/2050-roadmap
