4:08 pm - February 14, 2026
**Dubai**: Emirates airline has joined the Aviation Circularity Consortium alongside SL Metals to promote a circular economy in aviation, focusing on supply chain decarbonisation and sustainable practices, as part of its broader strategy for environmental responsibility and operational efficiency in the industry.
Emirates airline has officially joined the Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC) alongside SL Metals, expanding the efforts to develop a circular economy within the aviation sector. This partnership is a strategic move aimed at enhancing supply chain decarbonisation and promoting high-value circular practices in the industry.
The announcement comes as the ACC builds upon the foundation laid by the launch of its industry roadmap for 2050 in November 2024, which outlined key goals for sustainable aviation. Emirates has dedicated itself to integrating recycling and circular economy solutions into its operations as part of a broader sustainability strategy. The airline has implemented several initiatives including cabin interior upcycling, the use of sustainable materials, and comprehensive waste reduction programmes to minimise its environmental impact.
Ahmed Safa, Head of Engineering & MRO at Emirates Group, emphasised the importance of rethinking material usage throughout an aircraft’s lifecycle, stating, “Aviation must rethink how materials are used across an aircraft’s lifecycle, from production to retirement. With the number of retired aircraft continuing to grow, the need for sustainable end-of-life solutions is more urgent than ever.” He noted that by joining the ACC, Emirates aims to collaborate on sustainable initiatives that increase efficiency and reduce waste, thereby facilitating the transition to a circular economy in aviation.
SL Metals, a distributor of aluminium alloys based in Singapore, also plays a pivotal role in this initiative. The company supplies a wide range of aluminium products to various industries including aerospace, semiconductors, and precision engineering. Sam Tan Yee Leong, CEO and Executive Director of SL Metals, highlighted the significance of aluminium within the aviation sector: “Aluminium plays a critical role in aviation, as in many other industries, making responsible sourcing and efficient material use essential.” He pointed out that aluminium production contributes to approximately 3% of global industrial CO2 emissions, underscoring the need for sustainable practices across the supply chain.
The ACC aims to unite numerous stakeholders within the aviation sector to foster collaboration and drive substantial progress toward sustainability. Emirates’ membership marks a significant moment as the second airline to join the Consortium, reflecting an industry-wide acknowledgment of the importance of circularity in achieving decarbonisation goals.
The collaborative efforts between Emirates and SL Metals are intended to address the growing demand for critical materials in aviation while promoting sustainable operational practices. This partnership exemplifies the increasing recognition within the aviation community of the need for a significant transformation towards more sustainable and circular economic approaches.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-joins-aviation-circularity-consortium/ – This link corroborates Emirates’ membership with the Aviation Circularity Consortium and highlights their strategic efforts towards a more sustainable and circular aviation economy.
- https://focus.hidubai.com/emirates-joins-aviation-circularity-consortium-to-drive-sustainable-aviation-practices/ – This source supports Emirates’ commitment to sustainability through circular practices and the collaboration with SL Metals to enhance environmental responsibility in aviation.
- https://news.uppersetup.com/aviation/2025/04/07/emirates-partners-with-sl-metals-to-join-aviation-circularity-consortium/ – This article confirms the partnership between Emirates and SL Metals, focusing on the importance of reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency within the aviation sector.
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-joins-aviation-circularity-consortium/ – This report details Ahmed Safa’s comments on the urgent need for sustainable end-of-life solutions for retired aircraft, emphasizing the importance of rethinking material usage across the lifecycle of an aircraft.
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-joins-aviation-circularity-consortium/ – Sam Tan Yee Leong’s statement regarding the critical role of aluminium in aviation and the necessity for responsible sourcing and efficient use is supported by this source.
- https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-joins-aviation-circularity-consortium/ – This link also explains the ACC’s mission and Emirates’ role as the second airline to join, reflecting the growing industry recognition of circularity in achieving decarbonisation goals.
- https://www.aviation360me.com/emirates-joins-aviation-circularity-consortium/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references the ACC’s roadmap launched in November 2024, indicating recency. However, the details about Emirates’ ongoing sustainability strategies and partnerships are not linked to any outdated events or changes in leadership.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quotes from Ahmed Safa and Sam Tan Yee Leong are not found in earlier publications available online. This might indicate original phrasing, enhancing their relevance and impact as potentially unique contributions.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Aviation 360, which is dedicated to aviation news. While not as globally prominent as outlets like the BBC or Reuters, it focuses on a niche area, suggesting moderate reliability but less widespread recognition.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Emirates joining the ACC align with ongoing trends in corporate sustainability in aviation. The increasing urgency for sustainability and circular practices adds to the plausibility of Emirates’ initiatives.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents timely information about Emirates’ sustainability efforts and partnership with the ACC, with no outdated references. The quotes appear original, and while the source is moderately reliable, the plausibility of the events reported supports a positive overall assessment.
