Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre welcomes first aircraft for dismantling and recycling

Chengdu (China), 29 August 2024 – The Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre (ALSC) today received its first aircraft for dismantling and recycling. The A330-200 aircraft, owned by Hengqin Winglet Aircraft Technology Company Ltd., will be disassembled through a collaboration between ALSC, Airbus China R&D and Innovation Centre (ACRI) and Hengri Corporation (HRC).

Building on this cooperation, ALSC and ACRI will explore further possibilities for material recycling and reuse, and HRC as a developer and manufacturer of carbon fibre and other composite products, will recycle the carbon fibre composites of the aircraft. Thanks to this partnership, for the first time in China, an aircraft will be dismantled and recycled in the same place.

Brian Agnew, General Manager of Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre, said: "Aircraft dismantling and recycling is at the heart of our business. This initiative not only represents a forward step in Airbus’ sustainability strategy but also aligns with the national call for sustainable development and circular economy in China. By leveraging cutting-edge dismantling techniques, an integrated industrial chain and Airbus' global supply chain network, we aim to set new standards in dismantling and recycling high-quality material with industrial-leading high rate.”

Upon arrival at ALSC, the aircraft will undergo component removal followed by the deconstruction and recycling of the remaining airframe. According to the industrial regulations, the removed components can return to the aviation sector for continued service, thereby reducing operational costs. The airframe, deconstructed through specialised processes, will be recycled and diverted from landfill to the greatest extent possible to minimise the environmental impact of the dismantling process.

The Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre unites under one roof a joint venture between Airbus, Tarmac Aerosave and the city of Chengdu, along with the Airbus company Satair Chengdu. It  started its operations on 24 January 2024. This centre is the first of its kind to cover, as a one-stop shop, the full range of activities from aircraft parking and storage to maintenance, upgrades, conversions, dismantling and recycling services for various aircraft types, as well as the controlled distribution of used parts from dismantling. Within just over six months since entry-into-service, ALSC was certified for maintenance from CAAC, EASA, and authorities of Bermuda, Guernsey and Cayman Islands. It was certified to offer parking, storage, maintenance, and dismantling services for A320 and A330 aircraft. Additionally, Satair Chengdu has received the ASA100 certification to perform used serviceable material distribution business.