Hactl wins TIACA air cargo sustainability honour
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) has won the Corporate Category at The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Air Cargo Sustainability Awards for a project designed to reduce single-use plastic waste in air cargo operations.
The award recognised Hactl’s ‘Redefining Cargo Packaging Through Circular Materials’ initiative, which focuses on the development of aviation-grade polyethylene cargo films made from post-consumer recycled materials.
Following evaluation by an independent panel of industry leaders and sustainability experts, the project was recognised for achieving lab validation of what TIACA described as the industry’s first 100% post-consumer recycled cargo film capable of meeting aviation-grade operational and mechanical requirements.
The initiative combines material innovation, operational deployment and closed-loop recycling processes to reduce reliance on virgin plastics and support circularity within cargo operations.
According to TIACA, full deployment of the project could divert approximately 700 tonnes of plastic waste annually from landfill, while significantly reducing lifecycle carbon emissions linked to cargo packaging.
The announcement was made at the eighth edition of TIACA’s Air Cargo Sustainability Awards, held in partnership with CHAMP Cargosystems.
Manuel Galindo, chief executive at CHAMP Cargosystems, said: “HACTL’s project demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can create practical sustainability solutions with real industry impact.
“Their work not only advances circularity in air cargo operations but also establishes a scalable model that can inspire broader adoption across the global logistics sector. Congratulations to the entire HACTL team on this outstanding achievement.”
Glyn Hughes, director general of TIACA, said: “The level of innovation and commitment demonstrated by this year’s applicants continues to show how seriously our industry is embracing sustainability.
“HACTL’s initiative stands out because it tackles a long-standing operational challenge with a solution that is practical, measurable, and scalable for the wider air cargo community.”
TIACA also named BioNatur Plastics, CargoAi – Cargo2Zero and Goods2Load as finalists in the Start-Up/Small Business Category for the 2026 awards.
The companies will present their initiatives during TIACA’s Executive Summit in Warsaw from June 1-3, where the audience will decide the winner of the $10,000 cash prize.
The official presentation of the Air Cargo Sustainability Awards 2026 will also take place during the summit.