Estimates based on design data suggest that the consumption of one million litres of DFsustain represents a saving of 20.9 million passenger kilometres in terms of non-renewable energy, and a saving of 10.1 million passenger kilometres in terms of greenhouse gases, compared to a standard glycol-based product.
Kilfrost is launching two new products across its range of environmentally friendly de-icing fluids: The Type IV ABC4sustain for ground de-icing, and TKSsustain for in-flight de-icing will be available in the autumn. The launches come a year after Kilfrost introduced the world’s first and only commercially available, sustainably-produced Type 1 de-icing fluid, DFsustain.
All of Kilfrost’s sustain fluids use a corn sugar-based glycol called Susterra which was initially created by DuPont Tate and Lyle Bio Products, then developed by Kilfrost’s specialist R&D team. “Using a sustainable glycol for something as readily-used as de- and anti-icing fluid is set to have a dramatic and immediate impact on aviation’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions,” explained Kilfrost’s chief executive Gary Lydiate. “In the case of our Type I fluid, DFsustain, the product is readily biodegradable, has low toxicity, and its manufacture uses up to 40% less energy than standard glycol,” he added.
Flybe was the first airline to use DFsustain in the 2008/2009 winter season.
Estimates based on design data suggest that the consumption of one million litres of DFsustain represents a saving of 20.9 million passenger kilometres in terms of non-renewable energy, and a saving of 10.1 million passenger kilometres in terms of greenhouse gases, compared to a standard glycol-based product.
Flybe was the first airline to use DFsustain in the 2008/2009 winter season. At the time the airline’s director of aircraft operations John Palmer commented: “Airlines are increasingly seeking greener alternatives to current products. By using Kilfrost’s new de-icing product, Flybe is once again confirming its commitment to yet another more eco-sensitive operational alternative.”
