Aircraft plastic parts for recycling

US-based North American Aerospace Industries (NAAI), a provider of sustainable end-to-end aircraft recycling, has merged with UK-based Aircraft Interior Recycling Association (AIRA), a total aircraft interior support company.

Sven Daniel Koechler, PhD, President and CEO of NAAI stated: “AIRA is the only aircraft interior recycling company that has developed the scientific expertise and technical know-how to properly recycle end of life aircraft interiors and waste materials from manufacturing.  Since our top priority is to provide sustainable aircraft recycling services through which 100% of an aircraft is recycled or up-cycled, gaining the ability to effectively address one of the most challenging aspects of an aircraft’s recycling – its composite plastic interior components – is a major achievement for us. We are very proud of our new alignment with AIRA. Together, we intend to revolutionise aircraft recycling, transforming it into an industry which delivers enormous benefit across the entire chain, from OEMs, MROs, airlines, and leasing companies to the general public and the environment.”

AIRA Managing Director Tony Seville added: “This is two companies coming together with a mutual vision and solutions to the major challenges of recycling aircraft correctly, with all of its many different materials and with the environment foremost in mind.  It has taken AIRA six years of research and hard work to develop cost effective recycling processes.  We are very proud to be part of this merger with NAAI and now the real work can begin with airlines, lessors, MROs, OEMs and material manufacturers all working with us and making a huge difference to the aviation industry and the environment at the same time.”

NAAI is building one of the world’s largest hangar systems  in North Carolina. The three-part hangar system will house a 357,00 square foot dismantling shop; 151,800 square foot MRO facility; and 102,000 square foot paint shop for narrow and wide body aircraft.  Its proprietary processes will enable the company to recycle multiple aircrafts simultaneously for a much faster recycling process. The NAAI facilities will also encompass an 80,800 square foot space designated for storage and offices.  The facility’s construction schedule was interrupted by the pandemic and subsequent business lockdowns in the US, however, Koechler is projecting that the facility will be operational by late 2021.

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