KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is pioneering the use of recycled PET bottles to manufacture 3D-printed parts and tools, a first for the airline industry. This innovation reduces engineering and maintenance costs and promotes resource recycling, making it more environmentally friendly. Ton Dortmans, Executive Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance (E&M) at KLM, emphasized, "KLM continuously invests in sustainable and innovative manufacturing processes. We are proud to be able to transform recycled waste into more valuable products for our customers, our employees, and society as a whole."
KLM has set a goal of reducing waste by 50% by 2030 (compared to 2011), with recycling being a key focus, and PET being one of the most common materials. Previously, KLM would purchase PET from raw material suppliers for its E&M department, but now it directly collects PET bottles from passengers and transports them to a local recycling company (Morssinkhof Rymoplast). There, the PET is processed into granular plastic and then made into 3D printing cables .
Starting with the wire production process, recycling companies collect several tons of plastic bottles annually from Amsterdam Airport, while KLM's E&M division uses approximately 1.5 kg of high-quality wire daily. As KLM recycles and reuses PET, the cost of this wire has decreased from €60 per kilogram to €17. Furthermore, thanks to the open-ended nature of the wire, KLM has been able to incorporate these eco-friendly materials into the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle to create more tools.
In the past, this technology was used to develop protective covers for painting, preventing the wheel arches of the Boeing 737 from being covered during the final paint application. They also 3D-print accessories for aircraft baggage claim doors, helping to retrieve high-top luggage from the Boeing 787, allowing a task that previously required two people to be completed by one. Beyond tools and accessories, KLM has also partnered with "Local Makers" to launch 3D-printed miniature houses as commemorative gifts for business class passengers, creating even more added value.
We are delighted to see KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' innovative approach, successfully integrating recycled materials into a complete supply chain operation system and creating greater value for these planetary resources. 3D printing plays an indispensable role in the development and application of emerging technologies, enabling the remanufacturing of materials at will. Contact us now to choose the best solution for you and join the ranks of digital manufacturing!
Follow our fan page and don't miss any messages: https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
References