We practice what we preach 

We as THOMS Aviation continuously strive to minimize our own carbon footprint. Although our business proposition is entirely based on preventing water wastage and spillage, we have set up the entire process in such a way that it has a minimal impact on the environment. 

 

1. Water

As we all see in the recent climate change challenge, water has become a scarce good on all our continents and will become scarcer. We save up to 5000 liters without creating waste water of water while Dry Washing a narrow body. For a wide body this will be up to 12.000 liters. Moreover, by using Drywash, the wash interval can be reduced by a minimum of 50%. 

We are a proud ambassador of Made Blue, we tell more about this ambassadorship on this page. 

In coorporation with MEWA Textile Services, all our used cloths material are washed in an environmentally friendly manner. The chemical residues absorbed by the microfiber cloth are treated so that residues can be disposed and separated. As a result, the water can be re-used. 

The aviation industry is not the only industry in which we make a difference. Bus and train companies have embraced the THOMS business proposition as well. A bus company could save nearly 21.000 liters of water per bus per year and a train company nearly 143.000L per train per year!

"The cleaning method they used and use was new to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and in line with our sustainability goals, no water only dry wash."
- Bert Stroboer, Customer Support Manager

 

 2. Paint life

By using the Dry Wash method to clean aircraft, we protect the surface and the paint of the aircraft. Based on our experience, our Dry Wash method enhances paint life up to 25%, resulting in paint job costs reduction and lower emissions. 

3. Saving Fuel: Smoother surfaces means less resistance

It is logical physics that when a surface is smooth, there is less resistance and thus can create aerodynamic advantages. By treating the surface of an aircraft with Dry Wash, we polish and protect the surface. This prevents pollution to stick to the surface. With less resistance to all the different kinds of pollution, there can be a long-term savings of fuel. We have started a study to be able to calculate fuel savings. 

4. Towing Costs

By using the Dry Wash method, we are able to wash on stand. Consequently, the aircraft does not need to be towed to and from from the hangar. This saves time investments and emissions from towing trucks. 

5. Our THOMS Aero Drywash Products

In January 2021, we have introduced the THOMS Aero DryWash products. These products are water-based and partly organic. This has less impact on staff and environment. Our Dry Wash Polish is approved by Transavia. For more information, please visit our THOMS Aero site.  

6. An eye for detail

At THOMS, we are always trying to find new ways to recycle and up-cycle every product we are using in the process of Dry Washing. Our purchasing policy is designed to buy tools with a high degree of repairability.

When a tool we use is broken, we first try to up-cycle it. For example; a broken bucket now serves as a basket for some of our smaller products in our storage area. It may not be useful as a bucket anymore but can be used in different ways!

At the office, we digitalized our entire administration and decreased our paper usage by 70% over the last 2 years. Moreover, we separate our waste and choose to purchase our products in the most environmentally friendly way and if possible second hand. Our toiletpaper is from The Good Roll and our archive boxes are also made from recycled paper. The roof of our office is covered with solar panels which allows us to wash and dry our cloths and pads on solar energy. And of course, we clean our vehicles with Drywash!  

Do you have any suggestions? Please let us know!