The impact of circular strategies on titanium supply and demand in the aviation industry
T. Hoff (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))
Benjamin Sprecher (TU Delft - Design for Sustainability)
Ahmad Ali Pohya (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))
Gerko Wende (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR))
David Peck ( Estonian Business School, TU Delft - Environmental & Climate Design)
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Abstract
The supply of critical raw materials, especially titanium, poses a significant challenge for the aviation sector. Increased circularity is often proposed as a solution by industry and policymakers. However, the effects of circular strategies remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this paper analyses different circular strategies, namely recycling, a pure lifetime extension, and an enhanced lifetime extension that includes an engine aircraft, based on real-world data up to the year 2040. The findings indicate that recycling retired aircraft only marginally affects the required rising inflow of titanium by less than 5%. The engine upgrade strategy shows similar results. In contrast, a pure lifetime extension shows the greatest potential for mitigating supply constraints and can be further enhanced to a potential of more than 10% when combined with recycling. The results highlight the complexity of circular strategies and emphasise a stronger focus on lifetime extension for the aviation sector and other industrial sectors.
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