Boeing Invests in University Recycling Program

Through a $1 million-per-year investment, slated to run for a minimum of three years, the aerospace firm Boeing will collaborate with the University of Nottingham, based in the U.K., to help in the research and development of composites recycling activities.

In a statement released by the university, Sir Roger Bone, president of Boeing, says, “Boeing wants to be able to recycle composite materials from manufacturing operations to improve product sustainability and to develop more efficient ways of recycling aircraft retired from commercial service. The ultimate aim is to insert recycled materials back into the manufacturing process, for instance, on the plane in non-structural sustainable interiors applications, or in the tooling Boeing uses for manufacturing. This work helps us create environmental solutions throughout the lifecycle of Boeing products," he adds.

“Aerospace is a priority research area for this university,” says professor Andy Long, dean of the University of Nottingham’s faculty of engineering, professor of mechanics of materials and director of the Institute for Aerospace Technology. “This recognizes the sector’s potential for growth and our ability to deliver influential world-class research and knowledge transfer to address global issues and challenges.”

The collaboration will develop:

• Recycling processes;
• Technology to process recycled fiber into new applications; and
• New products using recycled materials, in collaboration with other suppliers.

Six years ago Boeing helped found the Aircraft Recycling Association (AFRA). The University of Nottingham joined two years later, and a significant part of this agreement will involve working with other AFRA member companies on aircraft interiors recycling.

“Through this work, Boeing and Nottingham intend to develop quality and performance standards for recycled aerospace carbon fiber,” says Bill Carberry, project manager of aircraft and composite recycling at Boeing and deputy director of the AFRA.