Wood chopped as Cargolux goes greener with cardboard fibre substitute

Cargolux Airlines has signed an agreement with Trinkaus-Solutions to use its squAIR-timber product that results in more payload and lower aircraft fuel consumption.
Cargolux said that it is the first airline worldwide to introduce the lightweight material in its operations, and currently uses it on all pharma shipments out of its home hub in Luxembourg.
The all cargo carrier said that the cardboard fiber composite beams contain only raw materials from sustainable sources that differ significantly from conventional corrugated products and provides an excellent economic and ecological long term replacement for wooden material.
Trinkaus-Solutions says that the beams have a load capacity of up to 10 tons. At the same time, they are significantly lighter than the conventional wooden beams they replace, with a weight of only 1.2 kg per meter. They are also resistant to humidity.
At the same time, it is 80% lighter than the conventional wood it replaces, thus allowing more payload and a lower fuel consumption of Cargolux’s aircraft, which directly translates to lower aircraft engine emissions.
“Cargolux is proud to be at the forefront of developments again with Trinkaus-Solutions’ innovative products”, says Lars Syberg, Cargolux EVP Global Logistics.
“The use of modern, environmentally-conscious tools in air cargo underlines our standing as a green cargo carrier at a time when many of our customers put more emphasis on working with a partner who is aware of its responsibility towards the world we live in.
"In addition, Trinkaus-Solutions provides us with products that make Cargolux more efficient and faster with the added advantage of lower costs. It’s an all-round winner for us.”
Cargolux estimates that the use of squAIR-timber has the potential to reduce its fuel consumption by roughly 1,200 tons per year, lower fuel consumption of Cargolux’s aircraft, which directly results in lower aircraft engine emissions.
In addition, said Cargolux, squAIR-timber solution "enables shorter build-up times, eliminating the need for forklifts as they can easily be handled by one person".
They can be reused and are 100% recyclable with lower disposal costs than wooden materials.