2025 Winner: Most Impactful Solution GroundOps
In 2025, Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS) improved the sustainability of its deicing and anti-icing operations by optimizing the use of mono propylene glycol (MPG) while maintainingstrict safety standards. Because deicing is a safety-critical winter operation that requires large volumes of fluid, improving measurement accuracy and fluid performance offers a practical way to reduce environmental impact.
Implementation Process: Advancing Sustainable De-/Anti-Icing Practices Through Industry Collaboration
Over the past year, SAS advanced its long-term effort optimize de/anti-icing operations while maintaining safety standards. The airline evaluated methods and technologies in active use, participated in industry innovation initiatives, and set requirements for manufacturers to develop more sustainable deicing and anti-icing fluids. Collaboration across the deicing industry supported incremental improvements in fluid performance and environmental impact.
Operationally, SAS worked proactively with Liquid Water Equivalent (LWE) and Holdovertime Detection System (HOTDS) from Canadian company SureWx to improve measurement accuracy and reduce unnecessary fluid use. By relying on more precise holdover time assessments, indicating how long anti-icing fluid protects treated aircraft surfaces, the airline minimized excess application compared with conventional METAR or visibility-based approaches.
The new de/anti-icing fluid Clariant Safewing MP I LFD Plus (88) Type I has been implemented in all of Scandinavia. Existing stocks of the previous fluid, Clariant Safewing MP I Eco Plus (80) Type I, will continue to be used until depleted, which is expected to happen during the season.
By utilizing Liquid Water Equivalent (LWE) stations, SAS improved measurement accuracy in de-icing and anti-icing operations, reducing fluid over-application and lowering overall glycol use by approximately 30%. This equates savings of 250–700 liters of fluid per de/anti-icing event, resulting in an estimated 140–462 kg reduction in jet fuel burns per event based on a typical seven-minute spray time.
The introduction of the Clariant Safewing MP I LFD Plus (88) Type I fluid, with higher glycol concentration and lower water content, further reduced total fluid volumes and transport requirements, while lower foaming characteristics limited unnecessary application. Together, these changes reduced runoff in uncontrolled areas, supported greater reliance on Type I fluid over more persistent alternatives, and delivered measurable environmental and operational benefits without compromising safety.
Through Vilokan’s purification process and a Scandinavian-wide collection chain, used glycol is now returned to Clariant in Uddevalla for circular reuse.
By 2024, 49% of glycol used in Scandinavia was recycled, ensuring supply security and stabilizing costs.
Improving Fluid Performance and Operational Precision
Beyond quantified savings, the updated de/anti-icing fluids were developed to meet the environmental requirements specified in Scandianvia. The reduced foaming of LFD 88 improves visibility during application, allowing operators to better assess contaminant removal and avoid overuse. This supports more precise spraying practices, enhances operational control during winter conditions, and contributes to improved runway friction as a secondary effect.
Industry Learning: Advancing Safety-Critical De-Icing Through Measurement and Process Control
SAS de/anti-icing program demonstrates how sustainability improvements can be integrated into a safety-critical function through enhanced measurement tools and process control. By replacing conventional METAR-based assessments with improved measuring methods and aligning fluid selection with environmental requirements, the initiative shows that emission and runoff reductions can be pursued without compromising operational safety.
