Under a new partnership between 3M and Safran Cabin, 3M is to provide technologies to help create cleaner aircraft interiors as part of Safran’s Travel Safe initiative. The move is being made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travel Safe is a joint initiative of Safran Interior companies aiming to elevate aircraft interior hygiene as the air travel industry seeks solutions to restore passenger confidence and promote recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today, passengers choose their airline considering not only safety, interactivity and connectivity, but interior hygiene assurance,” said Stephen Shafer, vice president and general manager of 3M’s Automotive and Aerospace Solutions division. “The most important factor is the protection of travellers and their families, and 3M continues to apply its technology to enable passenger safety in the skies. Safran is a leader in the industry and we have great synergy between the two companies.”
Safran plans to certify 3M technology designed to enhance cleaning and protection features for aircraft cabin equipment and provide the capability to mitigate or improve the removal of bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
These solutions can be permanently embedded into aircraft interior surfaces during the manufacturing process, or applied to upgrade existing interiors.
“Clean interiors are an industry imperative, and we have with 3M an innovative partner and expert in cleaning, disinfection and protection, who can blend the latest in clean technology with the specialised plastics, decors and composites used in aircraft interiors,” said Norman Jordan, CEO of Safran Cabin.
The exclusive partnership will leverage the research capabilities of both companies to realise a shared vision for seamless, safe and stress-free travel. It’s expected that these new aerospace materials will be available in 2021.
