Reflections from a year of exploring how the cabin interiors industry can innovate in terms of sustainability, through Business Jet Interiors International‘s 2023 Sustainability Drive series
Materials
Business Jet Interiors International‘s 2023 edition coverage kicked off with a deep-dive into cabin materials – where sustainability innovations can focus on everything from weight-saving to maximising service life, to the use of recycled or recyclable raw materials, and production processes. This complicated picture can make evaluating sustainability a challenge – a solution might shine in one area and not so much in another. Other highlighted challenges include meeting certification requirements while maintaining durability and affordability. It was also noted that sustainable solutions are absolutely possible to achieve without compromise to aesthetics.
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Completions
Next up, interior completion and refurbishment practices came under the microscope. Again the picture is a complex one as there are many facets to sustainability – from the use of renewable energy to special considerations for activities such as painting.
Prioritising local companies in the supply chain was another idea explored, along with the use of reusable or sustainable packaging for shipping.
In terms of the interior equipment and materials to install, solutions mentioned ranged from LED lighting to pineapple leather, bio-based resin, and printed films as a lighter alternative to exotic wood veneers. Durability, certification compliance and cost were considerations. Another was being able to source sustainable interior products in sufficient quantities.
Interviewees reported variable demand from clients for sustainable interior options, and perhaps need for greater promotion of them.
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Seat design challenge
For a special feature in the July 2023 issue, VIP aircraft interior designers were invited to create brand-new seat designs tackling sustainability, prompting a cascade of designs to get excited about!
While designers found it important to retain factors such as ergonomics and the experience as key design drivers, they had myriad ideas for sustainable innovations. There was a strong focus on lightweighting – achieved with methods including printed parts; composite materials; and simplified and leaner architecture. Ways were also proposed to improve production processes – such as replacing fabric dyeing with microencapsulation and reducing part count. Modular solutions and common mounting systems were envisaged to support a longer lifetime through easier updates, while designing in easy separation of components was also suggested.
The designers had the option of envisaging concepts beyond what is possible today. An array of potential alternative material innovations were mentioned – including lab-grown leather; foams based on soya and aloe vera; hemp-enforced bio plastic; sustainable resin; and natural fibre technologies. Other approaches included the use of reclaimed veneer and sustainably sourced leather; and a focus on traceability.
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Interior design
Most recently, representatives from design firms and aircraft OEMs shared their design ideas. There was also a breakdown of sustainable terminology, and discussion of effective communication, from how OEMs can be transparent about their initiatives, to calling for more information from suppliers.
Potential material ideas included Eucalyptus veneer, notable for its fast growth; composite veneer; composite leather; and 3D-printing titanium for interior trim components. Other suggestions included vegetable tanning instead of chemical tanning; the use of sustainable substrates, foams and adhesives; water-based paints; and natural dyes.
Designing for easy maintenance, considering the location of suppliers, recycling old parts, and a need for assurance as to the durability of new solutions were also covered.
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What’s next?
Recognising the key importance of this topic, Business Jet Interiors International will continue the Sustainability Drive series. Topics to be explored will include new forms of flight; light-weighting; best practice for transparency/communication; and meeting the needs of a new generation of customers and talent.
This piece was first published in the December 2023/January 2024 edition of Business Jet Interiors International.
