Eco Efficiency

Reducing Weight, Saving Emissions

Diehl Aviation develops lightweight innovations that reduce aircraft weight and, in turn, CO₂ emissions. The potential is significant: reducing the weight of a single medium-range aircraft by just one kilogram cuts annual jet fuel consumption by 200 liters. Diehl Aviation’s approaches are diverse:

Lightweight materials

For cabin interiors, Diehl Aviation consistently relies on lightweight materials. Product designs are specifically optimized for weight savings, with measurable results. For example, air outlets made from foamed plastic granulate are lighter than conventional alternatives.

Efficient water management

Long-haul aircraft must carry up to 1,700 liters of water. Diehl Aviation develops technologies to reduce this weight. The ECO Grey Water Reuse System, for instance, recycles used hand-wash water for toilet flushing saving up to 250 kilograms on a long-haul aircraft.

Optimal space utilization

Another strategy is optimizing cabin space. The less space interior equipment occupies, the more passengers can be accommodated at the same comfort level, reducing average emissions. Diehl Aviation develops solutions like Airpax: a combined galley and lavatory unit that creates space for up to six additional passengers while being roughly 60 kilograms lighter than competing models.

Lean avionics and flight electronics

Diehl Aviation also specializes in aircraft control systems, saving weight by integrating multiple functions such as pressure, temperature, fuel management, and hydraulics into a single device, replacing the multiple units previously required.

Energy Management and Lifecycle in Focus

In addition to lightweight innovations, Diehl Aviation pursues several other approaches to make flying more eco-efficient. First, the company is researching energy management within the aircraft, aiming to maintain a consistent energy use and avoid peaks. Second, recycling: how can materials be adapted for better recyclability without compromising weight, strength, or safety? Which natural materials are particularly suitable? Third, Diehl Aviation considers the entire product lifecycle to identify highly energy-efficient materials and reduce energy consumption during production.

The Cabin of the Future

With its latest Future Cabin concept, Diehl Aviation takes eco-efficiency even further. The result is a combination of biomimetic design, weight-saving ideas, recyclable materials, and smart functions. This includes entirely new innovations, such as digital displays that replace some windows saving weight while adding intelligent features. To advance the cabin of the future, Diehl Aviation is involved in numerous research projects worldwide.