Nandina REM’s CEO highlights the potential behind upcycling aviation-grade aluminium panels

Singaporean startup Nandina REM is redefining the adage "one man's trash is another man's treasure" by repurposing aviation-grade aluminium panels from retired commercial jets for electric vehicle (EV) battery castings. This innovative approach addresses the need for sustainable materials in the industrial supply chains, particularly the growing demand for EV components.

Nandina REM is on a mission to provide sustainable materials to industrial supply chains, focusing on the unconventional method of dismantling old aircraft to obtain high-value aluminium. With over 8,000 retired aircraft worldwide, the company sees an opportunity to extract the world's most highly engineered materials, particularly in locations like Victorville, California.

Proof of concept: Successful dismantling of Boeing 767s

The startup has already completed a proof of concept by dismantling three Boeing 767s, showcasing that over 90% of the materials can be reused or reprocessed. This milestone sets the stage for Nandina REM's ambitious plans to scale up to 40 aircraft this year, aiming to meet the demand for sustainable materials in the EV industry.

Extraction process and impact on EV production

The process of breaking up the retired planes allows Nandina REM to extract valuable materials like aluminium and copper. The significance of using aviation-grade aluminium in EVs lies in the fact that many 7-series alloys are already an aluminium-lithium mix. This eliminates the need for complex extraction processes, aligning with the automotive sector's interest in maintaining consistent alloy formulas throughout production.

Environmental Impact and future outlook

As the global call for Net Zero initiatives gains momentum, Nandina REM's initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to recycle critical materials needed for the EV supply chain. When Bloomberg began a conversation with Karina Cady, Nandina's CEO, questioning the benefits of her company's noble recycling initiative, she asserted: "We're in the business of providing sustainable materials to industrial supply chains. And we do this through the craziest way: taking apart old aircraft, with a key focus of getting it into EVs."

"We started to look at where high-value aluminium exists?" she added. "There are currently some 8,000-plus retired aircraft all over the world."

Cady also declared: "We completed our proof of concept on three Boeing 767s. Over 90% of those materials can be reused or reprocessed. This year, we're scaling to 40 aircraft. This needs to be able to hit volumes that can actually get sufficient off-take agreements. But the demand and the support is there, and it's been full-on chasing planes and ripping them apart."

Nandina REM's future moves and expansion plans

Looking ahead, Nandina REM plans to continue scaling its operations, aiming for volumes that can meet the increasing demand for sustainable materials. The company envisions a future where repurposed aviation-grade aluminium becomes a staple in EV production, emphasising the importance of maintaining alloy consistency throughout the automotive sector.

Nandina REM's innovative approach to repurposing aviation-grade aluminium from retired aircraft marks a significant stride toward sustainability in the EV industry. As the company scales its operations and continues to dismantle more planes, the impact on the industrial supply chain, environmental conservation, and the EV sector's cost-effectiveness is poised to be substantial. If you wish to have comprehensive knowledge about the use of aluminium in the automobile or aviation sector, take a look at AL Circle's special report, Future of Aluminium in the Transportation Sector.