Aircraft Recyclers Don't Want The Airbus A350 Or Boeing 787

The increasing retirement of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350 widebody airframes presents a significant hurdle for aircraft recyclers globally. Concerns center on the advanced composite materials used extensively in both aircraft designs, specifically carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), which poses substantial processing difficulties during dismantling and reuse. Currently, existing metal recycling infrastructure is not adequately equipped to handle the volume or complexity of CFRP removal from these planes. Manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus are proactively developing solutions to mitigate this challenge, including innovative disassembly techniques and partnerships with specialized recycling firms. The scale of potential retirements—estimated to be large numbers—is driving urgency within the industry to establish robust recycling processes before widespread obsolescence occurs.