SUSTAINair - circular economy for the aviation and aerospace sectors

4R´s of circular economy: Redesign, Repair, Reuse, Recycle

The waste of high-quality, aerospace-grade materials is one of the biggest challenges to sustainable aerospace engineering. SUSTAINair applies circular economy principles to the design, manufacturing, operations and end-of-life phases of aircraft. This includes:

Circular design of individual components and joining technologies for airframe construction
Real-time structural health monitoring of materials and joints during operations
Improved maintenance and repair technologies to extend aircraft life time
Automated dismantling robotics for improved recovery of high quality recycling materials

Welcome to the SUSTAINair project – enabling green transition of the aviation and aerospace sectors.

Smart skin technology for energy saving and circular aviation

In pursuit of significant energy-saving and therefore environmental benefits, SUSTAINair is introducing industrially-viable flexible wing with morphing capabilities making bird-like shape-shifting abilities a reality.

To increase aerodynamic efficiency and maintain aircraft safety, SUSTAINair´s integrated sensor technology will allow real-time, onboard damage diagnostics for structural health monitoring.

To reduce mass, improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions, SUSTAINair is operating on a multi-material design philosophy with novel metal alloys and composite materials. SUSTAINair joining techniques could ultimately eliminate the need for rivets all together.

#BuildingBackBetter: Green Aviation is Circular Aviation

SUSTAINair is developing solutions to increase resource efficiency and aircraft performance, reducing waste and material costs throughout the entire aircraft life cycle.

In a post-COVID19 world, SUSTAINair is introducing the circular economy along the entire aircraft value chain, paving the runway to a more cost-effective, low-carbon economy.

Because of this, the SUSTAINair project has been endorsed by the Future Sky research initiative of the Association of European Research Establishments in Aeronautics (EREA).

SOLUTIONS FOR CIRCULAR AVIATION

The SUSTAINair project gives the aviation sector a transition runway to a low-carbon, competitive economy while tackling the increase in resource consumption, waste and emissions along the entire aviation component value chain.

Explore circular approach to different stages of aircraft life-cycle by clicking on the stage of interest.

SUSTAINair SOLUTIONS FOR CIRCULAR AVIATION

The SUSTAINair project gives the aviation sector a runway to transition into a low-carbon competitive economy while tackling the increase in resource consumption, waste and emissions in industries along the entire aviation component value chain

EVOLUTION OF EUROPEAN POLICY FRAMEWORK

Flightpath 2050 Europe’s Vision for Aviation

European Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP)

European Green Deal

Circular Economy Action Plan for a Cleaner and More Competitive Europe

CREW

Aircraft performance, Circular economy, 4Rs of circular economy, Design, Manufacturing, MRO, Maintenance, Composite Materials, Aerospace, Aviation, Carbon emissions

EASA´s advisory role in SUSTAINair is focused on certification, regulation, and safety assessment aspects thus reducing the time to market of new innovative products and business models while adhering to the high level of safety, security, and environmental protection.

Willy Sigl, EASA

Jürgen Roither, SUSTAINair coordinator at AIT-LKR, Austria

SUSTAINair is addressing all phases of the aircraft component value chain from circular design to manufacturing, maintenance and repair, to assembly and recycling, and it will excel through the combined competence and expertise of its project partners.

Jürgen Roither, AIT-LKR

The SUSTAINair project demonstrates that the environmental challenges are an opportunity for technological advancement. I hope we can pay our dues as well as inspire the generations that follow.

Chiara Bisagni, TU Delft

I am proud to be part of the team in a pan-European project contributing to greener aviation, with an ultimate goal: zero emissions! Clearly, such an international challenge cannot be tackled without European collaboration.

Ruben Nahuis, NLR

Metallic 3D printing and bonding concepts for metal/fibre reinforced plastic joints are two challenging topics we at DLR can address in SUSTAINair. I cannot wait to apply the design freedom that 3D printing gives us to new, effective bonding solutions.

Miriam Löbbecke, DLR

I’m inspired by the 11 partners in the SUSTAINair project who want to contribute to the greening of aircrafts by developing new technologies for repairable and variable wings, the bonding of different lightweight materials, sensors for structural monitoring and maintenance and reconditioning.

Reinhard Kaindl, JOANNEUM

11th EASN Christoph Kralovec at EASN presenting SUSTAINair Predictive analytics for sustainable aviation

SUSTAINair allows my team and me at JKU to support a more sustainable deployment of raw materials by working towards replacement of today’s scheduled maintenance and withdrawal from service of structural components by a condition-based approach – thus changing the industry standard.

Christoph Kralovec, JKU

Developing new automated de-manufacturing equipment for riveted assemblies including aircraft fuselages, will set new standards and allow an increased circular dismantling process through increased material upcycling.

Stein Janssens, AEROCIRCULAR

SUSTAINair enables us to apply our patented atmospheric plasma processing on sensor material for novel structural health monitoring systems. Such challenges are what drives us to innovate.

Maximilian Stummer, INOCON

SUSTAINair is pursuing very holistic and complex approach of circular economy practices tailored to the aeronautic context. This makes this H2020 project uniquely exciting to be a part of while considering its potential for a real and lasting impact.

Marc Joulian, INVENT GmbH

H2020 PROJECT SUSTAINair

SUSTAINablility increase of lightweight, multifunctional and intelligent airframe and engine parts

Jan 2021

Aug 2022

Dec 2023

June 2024

START

Robotic demo

Database with test results

Life Cycle Analysis

DEMO

END

COORDINATOR

The SUSTAINair project is coordinated by AIT-LKR (Austria).

FUNDING

The SUSTAINair project is funded by the H2020 programme, under EU.3.4. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport, as a RIA - Research and Innovation action.

PROJECT PARTNERS

The SUSTAINair project is collaboration of 11 partners from industry and academia.

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