In a global first, airline catering company, Gate Gourmet has partnered with synthetic dry ice provider, EcoSlice to test a more environmentally friendly dry ice on board commercial aircraft. The pilot trial is the first of its kind for commercial aviation.

Gate Gourmet and EcoSlice's green dry ice project received the prestigious Innovation Award in the 2017 NSW Green Globe Awards. Presented by The Office of Environment and Heritage in a ceremony at the Art Gallery of NSW, the Green Globe Awards are the NSW Government’s awards for leadership, commitment and innovation in sustainability.

Gate Gourmet’s Head of Compliance, Mark Naylor said the airline caterer has completed real-time aircraft trials with great success.  

“Reducing our environmental impact is a guiding principle not only for Gate Gourmet but for aviation and food manufacturing in general – it’s part of our responsibility to our airline customers, their airline passengers and the aviation industry,” Mr Naylor said.

“Through partnering with EcoSlice, we’ve been able to test a synthetic dry ice which gives us a better quality of refrigeration than normal dry ice, with less greenhouse emissions. Thanks also to Virgin Australia, we’ve run real-time aircraft trials with great results.

“These trials, held in March and June 2017, are not only the first of their kind in Australia, but also a first in the global commercial airline catering market. The synthetic dry ice product is innovative, cost effective, greenhouse friendly and importantly, much safer to use in the confined space of a commercial plane.

“This is a win for passengers, a win for airlines and a win for the environment.”

Managing Director for EcoSlice, Ben Rogers said EcoSlice was an idea founded from the need for a ‘greener’ dry ice product in the market.

“EcoSlice is environmentally friendly with no Co2 dangerous goods classification, and many more benefits. It has been independently tested with longer duration and freezing ability, compared to normal dry ice. We’re very excited to work with Gate Gourmet on bringing this product to fruition, a move which is anticipated to assist airlines in reducing their carbon emissions once we begin mass production for this product.”

Media Contacts

For interviews with Mark Naylor, contact Lauren Bremner (Commercial & Engagement Manager Gate Gourmet) on 0422 362 547 or lbremner@gategroup.com. For interviews with Ben Rogers of EcoSlice, phone 0429 400 210.

About the Green Globe Awards - Innovation Award: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-support/awards-and-recognition/green-globe-awards/awards/innovation-award  

About Gate Gourmet

Gate Gourmet is the world's leading airline caterer dedicated to designing, cooking and delivering inflight meals to over 40 airlines in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand) and over 300 airlines globally. Part of global parent company, gategroup - a HNA-owned company - Gate Gourmet is present in 9 major airport locations in Australia and more than 200 airports across the globe. Find out more at www.gategourmet.com

About EcoSlice

EcoSlice Pty Ltd, is an Australian company that has developed a product that replicates dry ice with fewer carbon emissions and greater longevity in temperature control and outputs. EcoSlice is environmentally friendly with no Co2 dangerous goods classification, and many more benefits. EcoSlice has been independently tested for its duration and freezing ability, outperforming dry ice on all test markers.