Using a New Bio-Friendly De-Icing Fluid

Airport Terminal Services (ATS) began using Kilfrost DFSustain Type 1 bio-propanediol for its de-icing operations earlier this month.  ATS, based in St. Louis, serves several major airlines at Lambert and other airports across North America. ATS currently de-ices approximately 30% 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 de-icing 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,” says 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 de-icing 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 de-icing operations. Lambert is the 4th ATS location where the new de-icing blending system has been installed. Other Airports include Edmonton, Calgary and Moncton.

“The next generation de-icing fluid and the new de-icing 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.”