Kilfrost | Environment

Environment

KILFROST AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Throughout its 75-year history, Kilfrost has developed cutting-edge de-icing and anti-icing products which exceed their customers' needs. Its world-renowned Research and Development team is responsible for several industry firsts. The company has confirmed that it will continue to invest in research and development in the coming years with particular emphasis on 'green' products.

"In the future, all those involved in the aviation industry will be increasingly affected by both legislation and by voluntary agreements which aim to further reduce the detrimental effects of flying, on the environment," explained Gary Lydiate, Chief Executive of Kilfrost. "For the airport operator and the providers of ground handling services, this will mean both complying with increasingly stringent pollution controls enforced by local authorities and reducing the carbon footprint of their operations. Achieving these goals and meeting the European Union's Kyoto commitments will require a strong working relationship between the operators and their suppliers, and we recognize our responsibility to support the industry with green alternatives" he concluded.

An innovative partnership with DuPont Tate and Lyle Bio Products resulted in an eco-friendly development with the launch of the world's first sustainably-produced aircraft de-icing fluid, DFsustain. Based on a corn sugar-based glycol, the fluid has provided the industry with an alternative to the more traditional crude-oil derived glycol for the first time ever.

"Using a sustainable glycol for something as readily used as de-icing and anti-icing fluid will have a dramatic and immediate impact on aviation's carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Not only does the fluid's production see a large reduction in the consumption of non-renewable energy, with its manufacture using up to 40% less than standard glycol, the product itself is readily biodegradable and has low toxicity" explained Gary Lydiate. "Estimates based on design data suggest that, in terms of CO2, the consumption of 1 million litres of DFsustain would see a potential but significant carbon reduction of 6,500 tonnes."

2010 is an exciting year for the company, with the launch later this year of TKSsustain which will be the first ever fluid specifically formulated for TKS systems based on glycol derived from a sustainable source. The company is also working hard to develop a range of other 'green' fluids for the aviation, rail and general transportation industries.

For more information about Kilfrost, please contact us by email at usa.sales@kilfrost.com or telephone our Toll-free phone number: 1-877-U-KILFROST (1-877-854-5376).