Diehl Aviation Confirms Successful Evaluation of ECO Grey Water Reuse System with SWISS
Diehl Aviation has successfully evaluated its ECO Grey Water Reuse System in regular service on two Boeing 777 aircraft operated by Swiss International Air Lines. After approximately three months of continuous service under full operational loads, the system has demonstrated stable performance in line with expectations and confirmed its anticipated operational benefits. The solution will be available as a retrofit for existing fleets.
Diehl Aviation announces the successful results of the in-service evaluation of its ECO Grey Water Reuse System (ECO GWRS), installed on two Boeing 777 aircraft operated by Swiss International Air Lines. After approximately three months of continuous service under full operational loads, the system has demonstrated stable performance in line with expectations and confirmed its anticipated operational benefits.
The ECO Grey Water Reuse System captures and treats grey water from hand wash basins and reuses it for toilet flushing. By reducing the need for potable water on board, the technology can save up to 250 liters of fresh water per flight, particularly on long-range operations estimated for a state-of-the-art aircraft. This results in potential weight savings of around 220 kg per aircraft, which can translate to fuel savings of about 28 tons per aircraft per year and CO₂ reductions of up to 90 tons annually under typical operating conditions.
“The stable performance of ECO GWRS in daily airline operations confirms the strength of this technology and our engineering approach,” said Jörg Schuler, CEO of Diehl Aviation. “Equally important is the excellent collaboration with Boeing and SWISS. By working closely together, we were able to validate this innovation in real airline operations, delivering measurable benefits for all partners from aircraft operators to aircraft manufacturers. This is a prime example of how cooperation accelerates the path from development to market-ready solutions.”
The evaluation campaign reflects close collaboration with Boeing and SWISS. By evaluating innovation directly in airline operations, the partners are able to validate system performance under real-world conditions, delivering tangible value to both airlines and manufacturers and accelerating the transition from development to certified, deployable solutions.
Following this period, the ECO Grey Water Reuse System has proven its readiness for broader application and offers value as a retrofit solution, enabling airlines to enhance sustainability and operational efficiency in existing fleets without waiting for new aircraft deliveries.
With this achievement, Diehl Aviation once again demonstrates its competency in developing advanced aircraft systems, guiding them through certification, and successfully integrating them into everyday flight operations.