Constellium and Tarmac Aerosave Partner to Recycle Aluminum from End-of-Life Aircraft

Introduction: Revolutionizing Aerospace with Recycled Aluminum

Constellium, a leader in aluminum production, has partnered with Tarmac Aerosave to develop an innovative method for recycling aluminum from end-of-life aircraft. This partnership highlights the potential of aerospace-grade aluminum recycling and ensures the aluminum meets the high standards required for new aerospace applications. It also underscores the importance of circular economy principles in aviation, offering a sustainable solution to material recovery and reducing waste.

Recycled Aluminum for Aerospace Applications

Constellium has successfully remelted aluminum recovered by Tarmac Aerosave from decommissioned commercial aircraft. The recycled material produced meets the stringent performance standards required for manufacturing new aircraft. This breakthrough opens up significant opportunities for aluminum recycling in aerospace while preserving the material’s critical properties.

This collaboration marks a major achievement in aluminum recycling. End-of-life aircraft are often difficult to process, presenting challenges for material recovery. However, Constellium and Tarmac Aerosave have demonstrated that even complex aluminum alloys from retired planes can be fully recycled. As a result, this process reduces the environmental impact of aluminum production, supporting sustainable practices within the aerospace sector.

Scaling Up and Expanding the Circular Economy in Aerospace

The next step is to scale this recycling process for broader industrial applications. Constellium plans to extend the technique to a wider variety of aluminum alloys, enabling greater material recovery from a range of aerospace components. By refining and expanding the process, both companies aim to contribute to a growing circular economy in aerospace.

Tarmac Aerosave is a recognized leader in aircraft storage, maintenance, and eco-responsible dismantling. The company operates Europe’s largest aircraft recycling facilities in France and Spain. Their focus on maximizing aluminum recovery has already led to a recycling rate of over 92%. This partnership with Constellium is a key step toward advancing sustainability in the aviation industry.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

Constellium’s partnership with Tarmac Aerosave represents a significant milestone in the aerospace industry’s transition toward sustainability. By successfully recycling aluminum from end-of-life aircraft, the companies have proven that circular economy principles can be implemented on a large scale. This collaboration not only advances recycling technologies but also highlights the growing role of sustainable materials in aerospace. As the industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, initiatives like this could be crucial for achieving long-term sustainability goals. Furthermore, the success of aluminum recycling in aerospace could serve as a model for other sectors, accelerating the shift to a circular and sustainable global economy.