Since only a limited amount of A/C alloys can be re-employed into the initial quality, the recycling industry shall be able to identify parts containing high grade alloys to ensure its profitability. Therefore, the AiMeRe project proposes to set up a methodology for high grade alloys processing of ageing A/C. The valorisation of valuable parts requires advanced procedures to identify and differentiate high grades steels alloys such as Cobalt, Titan and Nickel. For these reasons, the consortium will collaborate with A/C manufacturers to define a cartography highlighting the areas of alloys interest. Then, technologies will be assessed to optimise the various phases - dismantling, sorting, processing - until valuable metals can be separated out for further industry usage.

The AiMeRe consortium is composed of ENVISA, a French SME specialising in aviation environment issues and Bartin, a subsidiary of VEOLIA PROPRETE, a world leading company for the valorisation of industry waste. A mid-term workshop will be organised at Bartin’s Chateauroux airport dismantling platform to discuss the study’s results and attend an A/C dismantling to better evaluate mechanically any environment issues. The consortium also proposes to further investigate recycling potentials for plastics and composites as well as identify valuable outcomes for the various metal alloys, in particular in manufacturing industry. At the end of the study, the consortium will provide recommendations for regulations to ensure that A/C recycling is performed in compliance with environment constraints. This ambitious endeavour aims to contribute to the higher competitiveness of the European industry, by fostering innovation. It is also expected to contribute to the Clean Sky - DFE, Design For Environment – strategy by better anticipating what would be the potentials for A/C recycling and how new materials like plastic and composites can be reused in the future.