Hans Heiner Honold passes away on May 17, 2026
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May 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM
The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has announced the winners of the eighth edition of the Air Cargo Sustainability Awards. This award is presented in collaboration with the IT service provider CHAMP Cargosystems and recognizes companies and initiatives committed to sustainability in the global air freight industry.
In the „Corporate“ category, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals, LTD (HACTL) was awarded for the project „Redefining Cargo Packaging Through Circular Materials.“ This initiative aims to reduce the use of single-use plastics in air freight by developing aviation polyethylene films made from recycled materials. HACTL has successfully achieved laboratory validation of the first 100% post-consumer recycled cargo film that meets the operational and mechanical requirements of aviation.
Innovative approaches to waste reduction
The project combines material innovation with operational implementation and closed-loop recycling processes to reduce dependence on new plastics and support the circular economy in freight operations. When fully implemented, the initiative could prevent approximately 700 tons of plastic waste from landfills annually while significantly reducing the carbon emissions associated with cargo packaging.
Manuel Galindo, CEO of CHAMP Cargosystems, commented on the project: „HACTL’s initiative demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can create practical solutions for sustainability with real impacts in the industry. Their work not only promotes the circular economy in air freight operations but also establishes a scalable model that can inspire broader acceptance in the global logistics sector. Congratulations to the entire HACTL team on this remarkable achievement.“
Glyn Hughes from TIACA emphasized the significance of the submitted projects: „The level of innovation and commitment shown by the applicants this year highlights how seriously our industry is addressing sustainability. HACTL’s initiative stands out as it tackles a long-standing operational challenge with a practical, measurable, and scalable solution.“
Additionally, TIACA announced the three finalists in the Start-Up/Small Business category for the 2026 awards: BioNatur Plastics with recyclable and biodegradable stretch films, CargoAi with Cargo2Zero for tracking carbon emissions on a line-of-sight basis for air freight, and Goods2Load with data-driven decarbonization.
The finalists in the Start-Up/Small Business category will present their initiatives during TIACA’s Executive Summit in Warsaw, where the audience will ultimately determine the winner of the $10,000 prize. The official presentation of the Air Cargo Sustainability Awards 2026 will also take place during the Executive Summit in Warsaw from June 1 to 3.
