Matt Crane has over 20 years’ experience in food manufacturing, global product supply and aviation catering and is the founder of the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF).
The ASF, with the support of IATA and several of the worlds leading airlines is helping the aviation sector understand the growing issue of inflight passenger cabin waste by analysing cabin waste composition through a detailed waste audit programme. The data generated will then be used to develop options for the solution pathways needed to reduce cabin waste levels and improve waste separation & circularity.
Matt is also a Strategic Project Lead for SATS Singapore and serial entrepreneur.
His first piece for WTCE 2024 discusses the work of the ASF and the need for a new lens on the way we view the design, manufacture, and supply of the products and services offered to passengers with the aim of reducing cabin waste and improving circularity.
Sustainability front & centre
I took a quick review of the exhibitors at WTCE last year and its clear from the updates to websites, social media posts and the product development that has taken place over 2023/4 that sustainability is now “front and centre” in many exhibitor’s brand and product propositions.
I have spent many years trying to build a detailed understanding of how the end-end supply chains that manufacture and supply the inflight food and beverages that passengers enjoy operates. The stresses and strains within these as companies try to adjust from a linear to circular economy and the unique regulatory framework in which aviation catering operates.
Sustainability is complex to define. Working to the principle of the 7-Rs provides a good basis to assess the exhibitors attending WTCE 2024 – Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Regift, Recycle – and how they genuinely apply these to their commercial activities.
It’s exciting to see the progress being made. Product manufacturers are now just as likely to look inward at the environmental impact of their own business activities as looking outward at the product and services they develop for their customers. We are also seeing more transparency as airlines and caterer procurement teams become more conversant in sustainable procurement and are asking the right questions of their supply base.
Here are my top picks for WTCE 2024 – companies that I am really interested to visit and spend time with to understand more on how they are adding value to their customers sustainability agenda and genuinely protecting the environment.
Food & beverage:
Valrhona Selection at stand 4A51 produce a wide range of chocolates and deserts. Based in France this family run business has recently been B-Corp certified for the second time. B-Corp Certification is not easy to achieve and sets high standards for ESG compliance and continual improvement. To remain B-Corp certified companies must continually improve on strict waste reduction and environmental KPIs.
Congratulations to the Valrhona team and looking forward to tasting the Hetsika desert which has been specifically designed to meet specific goals for sustainable ingredient selection, manufacturing, packaging, and supply.
Deli Lites Ireland at 1F99 another B-Corp, inspired by the New York deli scene, has developed a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, oats, and wraps using local ingredients. Its inspiring to see how a small business makes the time to research and understand the challenges of evaluating its supply chain and manufacturing processes to set goals to reduce the impact of its activities.
Cocohagen at stand 1A84 also caught my eye… Their plant-based cocoa and date-based truffle snacks look great and with the approach to build the business with sustainability at the heart of everything they do – I’m curious to see how they are doing this.
Bespoke packaging & tableware solutions:
The development of sustainable packaging materials as well as the application of new and innovative packaging manufacturing techniques has been a leading trend in aviation and non-aviation sectors as packaging and tableware companies adjust to customer requirements and changing manufacturing materials regulation.
I’m curious to understand more about the product materials, food grade barriers and recycling process offered by Ecoffee Cup at stand 1A109 who use sugar beet, sugar cane and corn by-product to manufacture their products and ‘renew’ circular processing at end of life.
UBITE on stand 4F51 look to have an exciting range of reusable tableware made from plant-based materials. I really like the openness of the company and the way UBITE clearly explains its product development process, sustainability goals, circular solutions, and progress towards making these a reality. I’m also looking forward to understanding how they assess the environmental impact of their products over their lifetime.
deSter has been a consistent innovator in the development of sustainable tableware and associated circular tableware solutions. In recent news the company has forged partnerships with Eastman and made strategic acquisitions to continue to position itself as a global leader within this space.
Always a worthwhile stop at WTCE, deSter stand 4F40 are one of the few exhibitors to have published a detailed sustainability report and openly stated progress towards their carbon net zero commitments and operational waste reduction targets. No small task for a company of deSter’s size. I’m looking forward to meeting the team again, hearing more and learning from their journey.
Procurall Solutions at stand 4D50 supplies a broad range of sustainable tableware which in their own right are worth a visit. What caught my attention is Procurall founder Jennifer Green’s grasp of the issues that face airlines, caterers, and suppliers in the provision of more sustainable materials. For example, the importance of taking the passenger along with us on the drive for a sustainable cabin and their role in adopting sustainable materials, minimising waste, and supporting on-board waste separation.
Amenities, comfort, cosmetics & promotional items:
A crowded space with many exhibitors being regulars to WTCE. Here, supply chains can be lengthy through global product sourcing with potential for significant supply chain environmental impact. True sustainability innovation has seen these companies move ever closer to the delivery of ‘Net Zero Products’ as well as placing the spotlight on themselves and assessing the impact of their own business’ activities.
Plane Talking Products stand 4C10, supplies a broad range of amenities and tableware. Their stand includes an ‘Innovation Station’ showcasing a new range of vegan products, the latest in ‘smart’ textiles, how tech and AI can support passenger choice and product tracking to maximise reuse and reduce waste, products made from ocean bound plastic and new ranges of reusable and high-end tableware.
Iberia engaged designer Teresa Helbig and Kaelis, stand 1E10, to develop their latest amenity kits from rPET which contain vegan cosmetics made by Uvas Frescas using wine waste from Iberia wine supplier ARAEX. The cosmetics are packed, and the amenity kits assembled by Envera, an initiative which employs 400 Iberian residents with diverse functional disabilities – great story.
In 2022/23 FORMIA, stand 4D20/4D23, placed their sustainability journey at the centre of their brand proposition and stand at WTCE, and aim to be a carbon neutral company by 2030. Earlier this year FORMIA announced it had developed the first carbon neutral amenity kit and I am looking forward to hearing more on how they have achieved this, what’s new & next and how they are tracking on their net-zero journey.
Data and sustainable procurement:
Last but not least…..Relatively new exhibitors to WTCE are those looking to deploy technology and AI to help suppliers and caterers measure waste and improve design & manufacturing best practice to lower environmental impact.
I am hoping my picks encourage visitors to increasingly ask the right questions on exhibitor sustainability practice and whilst my picks are mine – do make the most of the unique opportunity that WTCE presents and take the time to explore the exhibitors on show. From my own experience its very often the small stand tucked away in the corner that has the most interesting ideas and the potential solution you are looking for.
N.B. I have no affiliation to any of the brands mentioned in this article.