ACC Welcomes Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials and Gen Phoenix to Advance Material Innovation
New members bring deep materials expertise to accelerate aviation’s transition to a low-emission and resilient supply chain
The Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC) today announced Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials and Gen Phoenix as the latest organisations to join its global effort to scale circular solutions across the aviation sector and beyond.
Their participation reflects the ACC’s continued momentum in building a collaborative industry platform, and their complementary strengths in material recovery, design, and engineering add depth to the ACC’s work to translate circularity from concept to implementation.
Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials brings world-class capabilities in materials science and engineering, bridging cutting-edge research with industry to address some of the most pressing challenges facing business and society. Its involvement will support the ACC’s technical agenda through research collaboration, drawing on its strength in translating material innovation into practical, commercial applications.
Gen Phoenix, a UK-based sustainable materials company, brings expertise in high-performance upcycled materials, including recycled leather already in use across commercial aircraft interiors. Their participation will contribute to advancing circular recovery and reuse pathways within the aviation supply chain.
Professor Sally McArthur, Director, Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials, said, “Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials is Australia’s largest materials science research institute and we’re on a mission to redesign materials for a circular economy. We’re proud to be part of this global initiative and can’t wait to be working even more closely with the aviation industry to fulfil this goal.”
John Kennedy, CEO, Gen Phoenix, said, “At Gen Phoenix, our mission is to make circularity possible at an epic scale. Partnering with the ACC is a powerful step toward accelerating today’s circular solutions - and shaping what’s next. Our first joint initiative is already in motion, and we look forward to sharing updates as it evolves.”
Both organisations are already deeply engaged in reshaping how materials are made, used, and re-used, aligning closely with the ACC’s mission. Their participation also signals a broader shift that sees aviation circularity move from long-term ambition to an active area of industry focus and innovation. Since its formation in April 2024 and the launch of its 2050 Industry Roadmap, the ACC has evolved into a global community driving real-world adoption of high-value circular practices across the aviation industry.
With Deakin Institute for Frontier Materials and Gen Phoenix on board, the ACC is better positioned to develop the technical solutions aviation needs to meet its decarbonisation goals, while unlocking new value from materials, strengthening supply chain resilience, and supporting a more sustainable future for the industry.
