Page 35 - Aircraft Interiors India -April-may 2024-fn

SUSTAINABILITY

Muirhead comes

up with 100% bio-

based leather for

aviation

uirhead is all set heavily in new technolo-
to replace its gies to develop future-proof
existing tanning tanning systems that deliver
Mchemistry with unparalleled consistency and
compostable technology, high technical excellence
taking a step forward in sus- without relying on chrome
tainability. In this process, salts and glutaraldehyde,
Muirhead, an aviation leather since last twenty years. Now,
executive and co-founder, to a saving of 111,000 kg supplier will be remov- finally the wait has paid off.
Kickstart AI says: “Our in meals across all KLM ing fossil fuels, oil-based Calling this as the begin-
goal with Kickstart AI is to flights that are catered elements, and heavy metals ning of sustainable efforts,
accelerate the adoption of from Schiphol. from all its operations and Stephen Hems, Innovation
AI in the Dutch business KLM is also working on products. Manager says that Tanning
community and we look the application of artificial Calling the new product is a crucial part of leather
forward to working closely intelligence in other parts ‘FreeTAN’, Muirhead says production, whereby raw
with Dutch companies to of its business operations. that this leather will be free hides are treated in drums
make this happen.” For instance, AI is impor- from heavy metals, chrome, to transform them into our
A three-month analysis tant in making aircraft and glutaraldehyde. Inter- high-performance materials.
shows that 63% less food maintenance smarter. In estingly this technology “These technologies are a
is wasted compared to addition, AI programs are is non-toxic fire-retardant vital next step in our journey
catering for every booked used to simulate predicted treatment that offers the to increase the bio-based
passenger. The largest bad weather days, making lowest environmental impact renewable carbon content
improvement can be seen it clear in advance which aviation leather available of our leather to 90% and
on intercontinental KLM schedule would be best to today. This not only reduces above. The leather of the
flights from Schiphol, allow flights to continue as its environmental impact but future is 100% bio-based,
where 2.5 fewer meals much as possible. AI also also ensures the product entirely chrome-free, heavy
(1.3 kg) need to be thrown helps customers by giving continues to meet custom- metal-free, aldehyde-free,
away per flight. On an personalised travel tips ers’ standards and fully biodegradable,”
annual basis, this amounts after booking a flight Muirhead has invested Hems adds

www.aircraftinteriorstoday.com April / May 2024 35