Aero-Sense teams with Honeywell for aircraft interior insecticide
Aero-Sense®, a Belgium-based manufacturer of aviation chemicals, is working with Honeywell’s Industrial Aerosols department to develop a safe and environmentally friendly aircraft insecticide.
“This Aero-Sense® product is now the first aerosolised aircraft insecticide worldwide to receive an approval for sale and use in all 27 Members States of the European Union, including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland,” said a release from Aero-Sense.
Insecticides are used on board aircraft to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, zika and dengue. The specific methods and products to be used for aircraft are found in World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, as well as in IATA and ICAO guidelines.
The Aero-Sense® product “Aircraft Insecticide ASD” successfully acquired a Union Authorization under the European Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). The BPR examines whether a biocide, such as an insecticide, is harmless to humans and the environment. According to the BPR, no carcinogenic, endocrine disrupting or toxic substances may be present in the product.
“Only a product that is 100 percent tested conform safety requirements passes this strict evaluation process," said Jochen Rosseel, COO at Aero-Sense®. “Our aircraft insecticide ASD does not only protect the health and safety of passengers and crew, but it also gains their trust.”
Using Honeywell’s non-flammable Solstice® propellant aids compliance with the European Regulation on the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases. Technical aerosols are required to have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 150. Previous generation aircraft insecticides usually have a GWP of more than 1300 as they contain harmful HFCs. The switch to the new propellant reduces the GWP of the Aero-Sense® Insecticide to less than 1, far exceeding the EU requirements.
“We strongly believe this is the way forward,” Rosseel explained. “It’s not only future proof in terms of emission requirements. Our Aircraft Insecticide ASD holds an approval for sale and use in the entire European Union, including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Making it a legal one-stop-shop solution for any airline flying in and out of the EU.”
In 2019, the EU and 108 other countries worldwide signed the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol. This is an international and legally binding agreement to reduce the production and consumption of harmful HFC gases.