The materials used to manufacture aircraft engine parts play a critical role in protecting the environment. It is very important to select the right materials, because their weight determines the total weight of these parts and helps reduce fuel consumption and therefore carbon dioxide emissions.
Controlled for many years, these materials are subject to two main European regulations: RoHS (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals). REACH took effect on June 1, 2007, and will lead to the deployment of a complete system by 2018 for the evaluation and control of materials that are manufactured, imported and used. The aim is to identify these materials as quickly as possible in order to reduce the risks of utilization.
The most dangerous products will gradually be replaced, and all materials will be easily identified by participants in the supply chain, who are responsible for tracking them.
Anticipate and share
Snecma planned ahead for these regulations, and has already drawn up a critical materials list. Various products have already been eliminated, and alternative solutions to maintenance and repair problems have been developed. In addition to eliminating these dangerous products, sources for raw materials have to be protected and optimized.
Snecma takes a multi-pronged approach to meeting these needs:
We are a shareholder and active partner in the company Tarmac Aerosave (Tarbes Advanced Recycling & Maintenance Aircraft Company), the world’s first environmentally-friendly aircraft dismantling enterprise, based on the optimized recycling of parts and materials.
We participate in the deployment of best practices for the recycling of engine parts, as a member of the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA), an international industry consortium.
We are a shareholder in an authorized used parts trading company.