ANA Introduces Fuel-Efficient ‘Sharkskin’ Technology to Enhance Sustainability
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, has embarked on a pioneering initiative to reduce its carbon footprint by applying innovative ‘riblet’ technology to its aircraft. This technology, inspired by the drag-reducing properties of shark skin, aims to enhance fuel efficiency and contribute to ANA’s sustainability goals.
The riblet film, developed through a collaboration between Lufthansa Technik and BASF, features microscopic grooves that mimic the surface structure of shark skin. When applied to aircraft surfaces, these grooves reduce aerodynamic drag, leading to improved fuel efficiency. ANA has begun testing this technology on its Boeing 777 freighter aircraft, with plans to extend its use to passenger planes in the near future. (aviationpros.com)
The initial application of the riblet film is expected to result in significant fuel and emissions savings. Each modified aircraft could achieve annual savings of approximately 250 metric tons of fuel and 800 metric tons of CO₂. If implemented across ANA’s entire fleet, these measures could lead to a reduction of about 300,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. (aviationpros.com)
This initiative is part of ANA’s broader "ANA Future Promise" program, launched in June 2021, which focuses on environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The program includes various measures, such as using in-flight service supplies made from sustainable materials and implementing flight operations aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions. (ana.co.jp)
By integrating this cutting-edge technology, ANA demonstrates its commitment to environmental stewardship and sets a precedent for the aviation industry’s efforts to adopt innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
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