Transition to Biodegradables

Capital A’s food and beverage arm Santan announced its transition from single-use plastics to biodegradable material today, April 21.
The move marks a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of Capital A airline AirAsia.
All inflight disposable items, including cups, lids, and cutlery, are now made from Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biodegradable material sourced from renewable resources such as corn and cassava.
Developed in collaboration with Rightway New Material, PLA offers a significant advantage over traditional plastics due to its faster decomposition rate. Studies reveal that PLA breaks down at a rate exceeding 90% in industrial composting, contrasting with conventional plastics, which may take centuries to decompose.
Santan’s PLA-coated paper cups are certified for home composting, providing guests with a convenient and environmentally friendly disposal option.
The initiative is currently being implemented in Malaysia and Thailand with plans to expand throughout the AirAsia Group of seven airlines.

A Model for the Industry

By adopting PLA, Santan sets a strong example for other companies within the aviation sector, demonstrating that it is feasible to harmonize high-quality service with sustainable practices.
Catherine Goh, Santan CEO, stated: “At Santan, we believe in turning every flight into an opportunity to provide exceptional inflight dining along with a positive environmental impact. This strategic shift to compostable PLA packaging plays a crucial role in tackling plastic waste within the aviation industry. Through this change, AirAsia aims to cut carbon emissions by 500 tonnes each year in Malaysia and Thailand, and we aspire for this to motivate others in the industry to instigate meaningful environmental changes.”
Acknowledging the challenges posed by waste management, Santan is complementing its transition to compostable cutlery with artificial intelligence to enhance food resource management.