Jettainer is sourcing environmentally friendly pallet nets from AmSafe Bridport.

The ‘Pallet Net Zero’ nets use a material extracted from renewable bio-based raw materials, Jettainer said. They weigh 9 to 11 kilograms, compared to the roughly 17 to 24 kilograms of traditional polyester nets. The new nets are also more robust and cut-resistant than existing models, according to Jettainer.

Pallet Net Zero also has certification for a service life of five years compared to commonly used polyester versions which have a durability of three years. Jettainer added that the nets would remain sustainable after their service life, with the company working with AmSafe Bridport and airline customers on ideas to give discarded nets a second life.

Lufthansa Cargo will be Jettainer’s first customer to use the Pallet Net Zero solution. Around 2,000 nets will be made available to the airline, which will be used for PAJ pallets. The net will be fixed to one side of the pallet to minimise the loss rate.

“Global responsibility and sustainable, forward-looking practices are part of our DNA,” said Lufthansa Cargo’s chief operations officer & chief human resources officer Dietmar Focke. “We have already been working together with Jettainer for many years in a wide variety of areas to make air freight more sustainable. With the lightweight Pallet Net Zero, we are taking another important step towards decarbonizing freight transport. In addition, we expect considerable weight savings to make handling easier and safer for our employees and ground staff.”

Jettainer tested the nets at the Institute of Textile Research Saxony (Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut). Together with Lufthansa Cargo, Jettainer will conduct further stress tests of and gather experience in handling in order to make further improvements and developments with AmSafe Bridport with end users in mind.

Jettainer’s managing director Thomas Sonntag said: “Winning such a large airline as Lufthansa Cargo as a proof of concept customer for these new lightweight pallet nets is a great opportunity for both of us. Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role throughout the entire industry. Our efficient ULD management services, the use of lightweight containers and innovative lightweight elements like squAIR-timber already offer our customers ways to reduce weight and their CO2 footprint. The use of Pallet Net Zero gives our customers yet another way to make their cargo flights more fuel-efficient and sustainable.”

AmSafe Bridport’s VP sales & marketing Joanna Kotula commented: “Pallet Net Zero is the outcome of years of expertise and research. These nets combine lightweight, safety, and sustainable feedstock in an unprecedented way. This redefines cargo nets as an important contributor towards lighter and sustainable air cargo. We look forward to working with our longstanding partner, Jettainer, to make Pallet Net Zero available for their customers and teaming up to make air freight transportation more sustainable.”