Aircraft Recycling Market Size

The global aircraft recycling market was valued at USD 5.3 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2025 to 2034.

The aircraft recycling industry is growing due to expanding global fleets and faster aircraft retirements. Airlines worldwide are upgrading to fuel-efficient models to meet environmental goals and cut costs. This trend leads to more frequent retirement of older aircraft, creating steady demand for dismantling and recycling services. Companies in the aircraft recycling sector are teaming up to improve sustainability and recycling processes. These partnerships bring together manufacturers, recyclers, and tech firms, combining their skills and resources.

For instance, in May 2024, TARMAC Aerosave and ATR expanded their partnership to improve recycling for regional aircraft. They aim to enhance end-of-life processes for ATR's planes by combining TARMAC Aerosave's dismantling expertise with ATR's environmental commitment. This collaboration showcases both companies' efforts to boost aviation sustainability through better recycling practices.

The aircraft recycling market is evolving, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and technology. Companies are developing processes to maximize material recovery and reduce waste, while investing in advanced technologies like automation to improve dismantling precision. The industry is also seeing more partnerships between manufacturers, airlines, and recyclers to create comprehensive end-of-life solutions for aircraft.

Aircraft Recycling Market Trends

Aircraft recycling services are evolving, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and innovation. Companies now use advanced technologies like automation and robotics to improve dismantling processes, cut costs, and extract valuable materials more precisely. Airlines increasingly seek recycled parts, especially used serviceable materials (USM), as cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives. The rising number of retired aircraft, due to fleet upgrades and stricter environmental rules, is driving the expansion of recycling facilities and boosting the global market for these services. For instance, Airbus's 2024-43 Global Services Forecast predicts strong growth in aircraft dismantling and recycling. The market is set to expand at a 7.5% annual rate over 20 years, with nearly 19,000 older planes being replaced. This turnover is expected to yield about $52 billion in reusable aircraft parts and materials.

Aircraft Recycling Market Analysis

The aircraft recycling industry faces challenges like high setup costs for advanced facilities and complex regulations for hazardous waste disposal. Slow adoption of standard practices hinders efficiency. However, opportunities arise from growing sustainability focus and stricter environmental rules. Increasing aircraft retirements provide a steady supply of recyclable materials. Technological advances in dismantling and material recovery create growth avenues. Regulations like the EU's End-of-Life Vehicle Directive drive adoption of eco-friendly practices, spurring innovation and investment in the market.

Based on material, the market is segmented into aluminum, titanium alloys, and others. The aluminum segment is expected to register a CAGR of over 9.5% over the forecast period.

• Aircraft recycling's aluminum segment is booming as the aviation industry seeks sustainable practices and high-value metal recovery. Aluminum, abundant in aircraft, is widely recycled due to its demand in automotive, construction, and manufacturing sectors. As airlines strive to reduce their carbon footprint and meet stricter environmental rules, more aluminum from retired planes is being recovered and reused. This recycling not only conserves resources but also saves energy, as recycling aluminum uses far less energy than producing it from raw materials.
  
• Advances in aircraft dismantling and recycling boost aluminum recovery efficiency, yielding more usable metal. This trend aligns with the push for a circular economy, promoting continuous reuse of materials to cut waste and environmental impact. The demand for aluminum in new aircraft parts and the global focus on sustainability are set to drive steady growth in the aluminum recycling market in the coming years.
  

Based on aircraft, the aircraft recycling market is divided into narrow-body, wide-body, regional jets, and turboprop. The narrow-body segment dominated the global market with a revenue of USD 3.2 billion in 2024.

• Narrow-body aircraft lead the recycling market due to their high numbers in short- and medium-haul flights. Their simple design and smaller parts make recycling easier, attracting both airlines and recyclers. As more budget and regional carriers use these planes, more end up ready for recycling when retired. This has led to new facilities that focus on narrow-body aircraft, efficiently recovering materials like aluminum and valuable parts such as engines and landing gear.
  
• Recycling technologies for narrow-body planes is getting better, helping airlines take them apart more easily. Airlines are going greener by using safer materials and cutting waste to meet tougher environmental rules. They're also saving money by reusing valuable parts like avionics and engines. This focus on recycling has become a key part of how airlines manage their planes throughout their life.
  

North America dominated the aircraft recycling market in 2024 with a 53.6% share. The U.S. market is growing as sustainability takes center stage. Airlines, makers, and regulators are pushing for greener aircraft disposal, leading to more planes being recycled as fleets age and modernize. This shift has sparked demand for eco-friendly recycling methods, driving the use of new tech to recover valuable metals like aluminum and titanium while cutting down on waste.

Germany's market is growing as the country focuses on sustainability and the circular economy. Strict environmental rules and high waste management standards drive eco-friendly recycling practices. The aviation industry's push to reduce its environmental impact has led to more emphasis on recycling end-of-life aircraft. This process recovers valuable materials like aluminum and titanium while safely disposing of hazardous parts.

China's market is booming as its aviation sector grows and environmental concerns rise. With more planes in the sky, there's an increasing need to manage retired aircraft efficiently. The government's tougher environmental rules are pushing for more recycling of plane parts. This has led to a surge in interest for recycling metals like aluminum and titanium, as well as safely handling hazardous materials from old aircraft. These trends are making China a major player in sustainable aviation practices globally.

Japan's aircraft recycling industry is growing due to the country's focus on sustainability and environmental compliance. As the aviation industry modernizes its fleet, the demand for efficient dismantling and recycling services increases. Strict government regulations encourage airlines to recycle valuable materials from decommissioned aircraft, promoting sustainable disposal practices.

Aircraft Recycling Market Share

The aircraft recycling industry is becoming more competitive as key players like Tarmac Aerosave, Vallair, and Airbus vie for market share. These companies compete on technology, recycling processes, and environmental compliance. To stand out, they offer comprehensive services from dismantling to sustainable disposal. Partnerships with airlines and manufacturers are increasingly important for securing end-of-life aircraft contracts. The market includes both specialized recyclers and major aerospace companies, creating a dynamic landscape focused on sustainability and efficiency.

Aircraft Recycling Market Companies

Major players operating in the aircraft recycling industry are:

• Aerocycle
• Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions
• Aircraft Recycling International Limited
• Airbus
• Apple Aviation
• Athens Aeroservices
• Aviation International Recycling SL
• CAVU
• ComAv
• Dubai Aerospace Enterprise
• KLM UK Engineering
• MoreAero GmbH
• Sycamore Aviation
• Tarmac Aerosave
• Vallair
  

Aircraft Recycling Industry News

• In August 2024, Skyservice Business Aviation launched a dedicated aircraft recycling division. The new unit gained the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) accreditation for following best practices in aircraft disassembly. This move shows Skyservice's commitment to sustainable aviation and industry-leading recycling standards.
  
• In January 2024, Airbus launched its inaugural global aircraft recycling project in China through the Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre (ALSC). This initiative marks a significant step in sustainable aviation practices, as the ALSC begins its first dismantling and recycling operation with an aircraft owned by Hengqin Winglet Aircraft Technology Company Ltd. The project involves collaboration with Airbus China R&D and Innovation Centre (ACRI) and Hengri Corporation (HRC).
  

This aircraft recycling market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD million) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Aircraft

• Narrow-body
  • Engines
  • Landing gear
  • Fuselages
  • Avionics
  • Others
• Wide-body
  • Engines
  • Landing gear
  • Fuselages
  • Avionics
  • Others
• Regional jets
  • Engines
  • Landing gear
  • Fuselages
  • Avionics
  • Others
• Turboprop
  • Engines
  • Landing gear
  • Fuselages
  • Avionics
  • Others

Market, By Type

• Passenger
• Cargo

Market, Material

• Aluminum
• Titanium alloys
• Other

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa