Overview:
This organization is seeking solutions to divert aviation textiles from landfill by repurposing them into new products. Ideal approaches will break down these composite textiles into their individual fiber types so they can be reused to create new aviation-grade textile products.
Background:
In 2024, the organization disposed of 17,000 kg of textiles – a figure expected to rise in 2025 and beyond. These materials include cabin seat covers, headrest covers, curtains, and carpets. The main challenge lies in their complex composition: most are multi-layered and made from different materials, often coated with fire retardants.
Constraints:
Need-to-haves:
- The solution should be able to deconstruct and reconstruct the materials into new products. Reconstruction can be achieved in-house or by 3rd party contractors the solution provider already has established links with.
Nice-to-haves:
- Reconstructed material should be suitable for use within the aircraft in some form.
- Processing locations based in East Asia are preferred.
- Solutions that identify alternative end-uses for the material are preferred—ideally with the ability to connect this organization to potential buyers or users, allowing it to be sold as feedstock if reuse within aircraft is not possible.
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Possible Solution Areas:
Textile recycling technology, multi-layered material recycling, large textile industries
Desired outcome of the solution:
- Partnership with established textile recycling solution providers interested in expanding into the aviation industry, provided they are able to use our feedstock for their own purpose or can sell it on for another purpose, while sharing some profits with us.
- An arrangement where the solution provider can either purchase our fabrics outright as feedstock and sell us the end product if of any use in-flight.
Previously attempted solutions:
A preliminary trial was conducted with a research institute using around 10 seat covers. They were able to partially deconstruct the materials into separate yarns, but the research was limited in scope. Scaling up would require more extensive, and costly, R&D, which our client is hesitant to commit to.
Discussions are underway with companies who are investing in innovative solutions and are getting patents while willing to share profits with us or purchase our trash as feedstock.Â
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