Diehl Aviation matures recyclable composite Eco Bin
Overhead baggage compartment using only fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, metal hardware and no adhesives wins Crystal Cabin Award, supports circular aircraft interiors.
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Source | Diehl Aviation
(Überlingen, Germany) has been awarded the Crystal Cabin Award in the Sustainable Cabin category for its matured Eco Bin concept, a fully recyclable composite overhead stowage compartment (OHSC) focusing on sustainability and efficiency in aircraft cabin design.
The Crystal Cabin Award’s Sustainable Cabin category honors innovations that redefine environmental responsibility in aircraft interiors. Entries in this category focus on reducing COâ‚‚ emissions, minimizing waste and enhancing resource efficiency while maintaining a high level of passenger comfort and experience.
Diehl’s Eco Bin simplifies dismantling and recycling with the use of two primary materials: fiber-reinforced thermoplastics for the structure and metal for the hardware (such as handles, hinges and screws) — eliminating use of glue or adhesives and complex multi-material components. More specifically, the OHSC structure consists of a thermoplastic sandwich featuring organosheets and thermoplastic core. According to Diehl, the thermoplastic sandwich has a low CO2 equivalent compared to currently used versions.
At their end of life — or up to 20 years, Diehl — Eco Bins can be shredded, melted down and repurposed into other aircraft interior parts, such as brackets or as parts of window frames.
During production, this materials use reduces waste by two-thirds, and is manufactured through an energy-efficient continuous process, which accelerates production compared to traditional methods.
Additionally, the Eco Bin meets flame, smoke and toxicity (FST) regulations, ensuring high safety standards while contributing to a more sustainable cabin environment.
Industrialization of the Eco Bin is planned for 2026. By introducing fully recyclable cabin components, Diehl Aviation says it is helping airlines reduce their environmental footprint while improving efficiency and circularity in aircraft interiors.
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