Soisa Aircraft Interiors recently launched its revolutionary new organic armrest keeping sustainability at the focus of its operations. The armrest is made of a base of corn particles and represents a significant milestone in Soisa’s dedication to sustainability and innovation within the aerospace industry.
This initiative builds on the success of Soisa’s “From Waste to Wonder” programme, which creatively repurposed materials that were otherwise destined for the landfill into functional items like wallets, bags and pouches for the local community.
In 2023, Soisa produced approximately 5,200 armrests for various airlines, utilising around 2,000 square feet of polyethylene foam, which resulted in nearly 2,600 kg of CO2 emissions annually. By transitioning to a biodegradable material derived from corn waste, an eco-friendly, non-food resource, Soisa will significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
The corn-based material may also offer significant potential cost benefits, enabling Soisa to produce specialised moulds for each part number and thermoform the corn, streamlining their manufacturing processes. This advancement promises further cost savings and efficiency improvements, benefiting both customers and the environment.
Jacobo Mesta, Sales and Growth Strategy at Soisa, says: “As the aerospace industry intensifies its focus on sustainability practices, airlines worldwide are increasingly striving to minimise their environmental footprint. Soisa is at the forefront of this movement, pioneering engineering in aerospace by thinking outside the box and exploring alternatives which promote a sustainable future.
“This innovative design not only highlights our commitment to environmental responsibility but also ensures that our products retain their aesthetic appeal, comfort, and high quality.”
The organic armrest, soon to undergo testing and certification, marks SOISA’s initial venture into exploring biodegradable materials, poised to integrate sustainability across their entire product line and align with the global Net Zero 2050 initiative.
