Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has reached a significant sustainability milestone with the introduction of fully recycled plastic sheets used in cargo operations.
Developed in collaboration with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI), the new solution represents the industry’s first 100% closed-loop recycled plastic system, created entirely from post-consumer plastic waste generated within Hactl’s own operations.
The initiative builds on a transition that began in 2022, when Hactl introduced plastic sheets containing 30% to 50% recycled material. The latest development completes that evolution toward a fully circular model.
The new sheets are already being deployed and are expected to provide a scalable solution for broader industry adoption.
“This is a major step toward embedding circular economy principles into air cargo operations,” said Amy Lam, Chief Sustainability Officer at Hactl. “We wanted to move beyond incremental improvements and deliver a solution with tangible environmental impact.”
As a major cargo handler, Hactl plays a central role in shaping material usage across the industry — particularly in pallet wrapping, where plastic consumption is significant.
By transitioning to fully recycled materials, the company aims to reduce reliance on virgin plastic, lower the sector’s carbon footprint and prevent thousands of tonnes of non-biodegradable waste from reaching landfills.
Beyond operational improvements, the initiative is also intended to set a benchmark for the industry, encouraging wider adoption of sustainable practices.
