ATS First In United States To Use Bio-Friendly Deicing Fluid At STL
(St. Louis) Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) is the first in the United States to use a new bio-based deicing fluid that is more environmentally friendly and more cost effective for commercial carriers. Airport Terminal Services (ATS) began using Kilfrost DFSustain Type 1 bio-propanediol for its deicing operations earlier this month. ATS, based in St. Louis, serves several major airlines at Lambert and other airports across North America. ATS currently deices approximately 30 percent of STL commercial aircraft traffic.
DFSustain is derived from a renewable and sustainable source that produces less greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil-fuel based deicing fluids, such as ethylene and propylene glycols. DFSustain is currently in use by major international carriers such as All Nippon Airways, Air New Zealand and LATAM airlines.
“ATS wanted to support the Airport’s sustainability initiative and be an active green member of the community,” said Brian Wood, ATS Vice President of Operations & Customer Service. “We have the ability to now blend the deicing fluid specific to the local weather conditions, mitigating the impact to the environment, while using a more bio-friendly product.”
ATS installed a new Type 1 Glycol Blending System at Lambert which is manufactured by Liquid Automation Systems. The system allows for ATS crews to customize the deicing mix on site based on weather conditions. This has the potential to reduce material costs which in turn can reduce the environmental impact associated with aircraft deicing operations. Lambert is the 4th ATS location where the new deicing blending system has been installed. Other Airports include Edmonton, Calgary and Moncton.
“The next generation deicing fluid and the new deicing blending system are perfect examples of the types of iniatives we are encouraging of all of our Airport partners to undertake as we accelerate our sustainability program at Lambert,” said Lambert Director, Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge. “We hope and anticipate that this type of operation will grow at Lambert and be adopted at other airports in the U.S.”
Lambert’s sustainability program crosses all operational platforms with a commitment to integrate economic, social and environmental aspects into new projects, existing operations and management strategies while providing a quality service to the St. Louis region.
Lambert has been a regional leader in the use of alternative fuels for more than two decades. More than 50 percent of the Airport’s fleet and operations vehicles run on alternative fuels (Compressed Natural Gas & Bio-Diesel). The first public CNG fueling station in the region will soon be built on Airport property. Most recently, the Airport introduced electric work vehicles into its fleet and offers free electric charging stations at its public parking lot operation, Super Park. Lambert also introduced food composting in Airport restaurants in 2012.
