Constellium and TARMAC Aerosave Achieve Breakthrough in Aircraft Aluminum Recycling

According to a joint statement from Constellium SE and TARMAC Aerosave, a major step forward has been achieved in sustainable aerospace practices: the successful recycling and remelting of aluminum from decommissioned aircraft into high-performance material suitable for future aerospace use.

As reported by both companies, this achievement demonstrates that aluminum recovered from end-of-life aircraft can be fully reintegrated into the aerospace manufacturing cycle without compromising material performance. The project, supported by Airbus and recycling expert ValoER, involved months of collaborative R&D efforts. According to Constellium, the recycled aluminum met the stringent technical standards required for aerospace applications.

The initiative is seen as a significant move toward realizing a truly circular economy within the aerospace sector. Philippe Hoffmann, President of Constellium’s Aerospace and Transportation division, stated that the breakthrough serves as real-world proof that even complex aerospace-grade alloys can be reused effectively.

TARMAC Aerosave, which specializes in environmentally responsible aircraft dismantling, emphasized the environmental impact. CEO Alexandre Brun noted that aluminum recovery has long been a priority for the company, contributing to its current aircraft recycling rate of over 92%.

Industry observers note that recycling aluminum requires just 5% of the energy used in primary production and generates up to 95% fewer carbon emissions. The partners now plan to scale up the recycling process for broader industrial application and extend it to all aluminum alloys used in metallic airframes.

According to the companies, this development could play a critical role in reducing aviation’s environmental footprint and promoting more sustainable manufacturing practices across the aerospace industry.

Source: Constellium