Aethos

Aviation Recycling Research Servicesaethos.aero

Aethos is a Dutch non-profit foundation that funds cross-industry research and convenes aviation, academic, and recycling stakeholders via its Friends network to raise aircraft material recycling rates toward 80% by weight by 2030.

Company typePrivate
Founded2023
HeadquartersVoorburg, Netherlands
Headcount1–10
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What Aethos does

Aethos (legal entity: Stichting Aethos) is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in August 2023 by aerospace engineer Derk-Jan van Heerden, headquartered in Voorburg, Netherlands, with a small team of roughly six to eight staff, board members, and volunteers. The foundation exists to bridge aviation industry stakeholders, research institutions, and recyclers in order to raise the recycling rate of materials from retired aircraft — a target quantified as 80% by weight by 2030 — by funding cross-industry research and convening a 'Friends' network of more than thirty partner organizations.

The foundation's core service is research and project funding: Aethos directs donated capital into projects covering aircraft battery recycling, fuselage disassembly, aluminium recycling (BRABS), composite-material recycling (PCR4AEOL with IRT Jules Verne), and The Circular Cabin initiative with Embraer Netherlands and Spiral RTC on recycled plastics and thermoplastic composites for aircraft interiors. Aethos co-runs the annual Aircraft Material Recycling (AMR) Award with the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA), launched in 2025 with a €5,000 prize and already awarded for 2025 and 2026, with the 2027 edition announced. The foundation also operates a small merchandise line (Aethos socks) and publishes a newsletter and research blog on aethos.aero.

The business model is donation-driven rather than commercial. Aethos is registered as an ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling, a Dutch public-benefit organization status) and accepts donations via bank transfer, Geef.nl, GoFundMe, and shopdonation.org; merchandise proceeds support the same mission. The foundation is not a technology vendor and holds no patents or proprietary software. Its go-to-market is community-led, centered on convening aviation operators (Corendon, Transavia, Twente Airport), MROs (Fokker Services, HACE), recyclers (ARN, Riwald, Back to Battery, IT Recycling), and research institutes (TU Delft, DLR, NLR, IRT Jules Verne, Fraunhofer ICT) through the Friends network, with awareness raised via conference presentations, media coverage, and podcast appearances rather than paid acquisition.

Aethos firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Aethos
Legal name: Stichting Aethos
Website: https://aethos.aero
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2023
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1–10 employees
Short description: Aethos is a Dutch non-profit foundation that funds cross-industry research and convenes aviation, academic, and recycling stakeholders via its Friends network to raise aircraft material recycling rates toward 80% by weight by 2030.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Aethos industry classification

Industry

Product category: Aviation Recycling Research Services
NAICS: Remediation Services (562910), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
SIC: Refuse Systems (4953)
akta.pro primary industry: E-Waste (WEEE) Collection, Refurbishment & Recycling (IMAIAFAH)
akta.pro secondary industry: Waste & Hazardous Materials Management (incl. HazMat) (BPAHAJAK)

Keywords

Aircraft material recycling
Aviation sustainability research
Circular economy aviation
End-of-life aircraft
Nonprofit research foundation

Where Aethos is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Voorburg
HQ country: Netherlands
HQ region: Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

Aethos business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

Donations: Aethos accepts donations from individuals and organizations to fund research projects. The foundation is an ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) organization, a Dutch public benefit organization status that may offer tax benefits for donors. Donations can be made via bank transfer, Geef.nl, GoFundMe, and shopdonation.org.
Merchandise Sales: Aethos operates a merchandise store selling Aethos-branded socks. Proceeds support research investments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Aethos product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Aethos is a Dutch nonprofit foundation (Stichting Aethos) that funds cross-industry research projects focused on improving the recycling of materials from retired aircraft, including metals, composites, plastics, and chemicals. The organization operates a global 'Friends' network connecting aviation industry stakeholders, researchers, and recyclers to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration on end-of-life aircraft solutions. It also runs the AMR Award program (in partnership with AFRA) to recognize innovative recycling solutions and sells branded merchandise to support its mission.

Product overview

Aethos is a research foundation (Stichting Aethos) focused on increasing aircraft material recycling through funding cross-industry projects. The organization offers Research & Project Funding as its core service, the AMR Award program (launched 2025 in partnership with AFRA), Aethos Socks merchandise, Newsletter subscription, and a Donation Platform. The foundation connects aviation, researchers, and recyclers to develop sustainable solutions for retired aircraft materials including metals, composites, plastics, and chemicals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Research & Project Funding
AMR Award (Aircraft Material Recycling Award)
Aethos Socks

Quantifiable outcome

80% recycling rate target by 2030

Companies that use Aethos

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Aethos technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Aethos partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

AELS (Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAELS is the company founded by Aethos founder Derk-Jan van Heerden. It performs aircraft disassembly and dismantling operations. The relationship is foundational as Derk-Jan developed the concept for Aethos through his work at AELS.
Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFRA is the global association for sustainable aircraft dismantling. Aethos partners with AFRA on the AMR Award and shares research findings. Derk-Jan van Heerden serves/served as AFRA president.
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Aerospace EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTU Delft collaborates on research projects including the BRABS project for aluminium recycling and hosts related academic work. Roelof Vos is a faculty member involved with Aethos.
DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLR researches circular economy in aviation. Ligeia Paletti, Aethos board member, works at DLR. Collaboration on structural integrity and recycling research.
NLR - Royal Netherlands Aerospace CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNLR is involved in the Interdisciplinary Master Thesis Lab Green Skies project, bringing together students from multiple universities for sustainability research.
Embraer Netherlands B.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmbraer is partnering with Aethos on The circular cabin project and hosted a hackathon event in March 2026 focused on aircraft materials recycling. Collaboration on recycled plastics and composites in aircraft cabins.
IRT Jules VernemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinner of AMR Award 2025 for PCR4AEOL project. Research institute working on intelligent fuselage disassembly using robotics and non-destructive testing.
H.J. Grimbergen BVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrimbergen supervised the BSc final thesis on intelligent fuselage disassembly using robotics. Contributes expertise in sustainable aviation solutions.
Corendon Dutch AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirline partner in the Friends network contributing to the aircraft recycling ecosystem.
Transavia Airlines cvminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirline partner in the Friends network supporting sustainable aviation initiatives.
Institute de Recherche Technologique Jules VernemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench research institute working on aircraft disassembly and dismantling technologies. Partner in completed BRABS project.
Collins AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace company involved in the Interdisciplinary Master Thesis Lab Green Skies project, collaborating on sustainable aviation research.
Fokker Services B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRO and aircraft components company in Friends network. Contributes to aircraft disassembly and maintenance expertise.
ARN Auto Recycling Nederland B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuto recycling company with expertise in material solutions. Part of Friends network with capabilities in metal and non-metal material research.
Riwald Recycling Netherlands B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecycling company in Friends network providing metal and non-metal material solutions expertise for aircraft recycling.
Twente AirportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirport partner in Friends network contributing to the aviation ecosystem.
Spiral RTCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in The circular cabin project working on recycled plastics and thermoplastic composites for aircraft interiors.
Back to Battery B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBattery recycling specialist in Friends network, contributing to battery research project and sustainability research.
Aerospace Innovation HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation hub in Friends network supporting aerospace industry development and networking.
A-Gas Nederland B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany specializing in repurpose solutions, part of Friends network.
CAVU Aerospace IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAircraft disassembly and dismantling company in Friends network.
CH-AerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch sustainability organization in Friends network.
Contrail Aviation Support, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngine components trading and leasing company in Friends network.
AMANI ADVISORS & CONTRACTORS LIMITEDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRO services and repurpose company in Friends network.
Arena Aviation Partners B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngine and airframe components trading and leasing company in Friends network.
BeauTech Power Systems, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngine leasing company in Friends network.
Falcon Aircraft RecyclingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAircraft disassembly, dismantling and repurpose company in Friends network.
Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute in Friends network contributing expertise in chemical recycling processes.
Holland Aviation Consultancy & Engineering (HACE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRO consultancy in Friends network providing engineering expertise.
IT Recycling BVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT recycling specialist in Friends network focused on non-metal material research.
NAGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation foundation in Friends network.
Poly Circle X.0 Research LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch lab in Friends network focused on aircraft disassembly and sustainability.
SimzationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepurpose specialist in Friends network.
TDAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngine and airframe components trading company in Friends network.
XL Aero Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRO services company in Friends network with metal and non-metal material solutions.
E-FlightminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch sustainability company in Friends network focused on electric flight.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Aethos competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Tarmac Aerosave: One of the world's largest commercial aircraft dismantling, storage, and recycling operators (Airbus/Safran/GE joint venture). Comparable to Aethos as a leading commercial actor advancing aircraft material recycling practice.
Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS): Aircraft disassembly and dismantling company founded by Aethos's founder, Derk-Jan van Heerden. Direct peer operating in the same aircraft end-of-life value chain, with ongoing strategic linkage via the Friends network.
Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA): Global non-profit association for sustainable aircraft dismantling and recycling. Direct peer to Aethos — Aethos's founder is a former AFRA president and the two jointly run the AMR Award.

Regional players

Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR): Dutch aerospace research organization with circular economy aviation expertise (Ligeia Paletti worked there before DLR). Active Friends network partner and co-collaborator on sustainability research.
DLR (German Aerospace Center): Germany's national aerospace research center conducting circular economy research in aviation. Aethos board member Ligeia Paletti moved to DLR in 2024 to research aircraft component reuse/recycling — a close research collaborator.

Broad incumbents

AerFin: Aviation aftermarket solutions provider offering end-of-life aircraft services, parts trading, and engine management. Comparable to Aethos in serving aircraft retirement stakeholders with overlapping customer base of lessors and airlines.
EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency): EU regulator setting environmental and end-of-life standards for aviation. Comparable as a stakeholder shaping aircraft recycling regulation — Aethos explicitly provides input for laws and regulations in this space.

Emerging players

Carbon Cleanup: Winner of the AMR Award 2026 for CARBON EATER technology advancing composite material recycling. Comparable emerging player focused on a specific recycling technology challenge Aethos funds.
Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT: Applied research institute with chemical recycling process expertise relevant to aircraft composites. Friends network member contributing to materials recycling research adjacent to Aethos's scope.
IRT Jules Verne: French research institute focused on advanced manufacturing and aircraft dismantling technologies. Won the AMR Award 2025 for the PCR4AEOL project on intelligent fuselage disassembly using robotics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Aethos financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Aethos leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Aethos funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Aethos M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aethos

What does Aethos do?

Is Aethos a public or private company?

Aethos is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was Aethos founded?

Aethos was founded in 2023. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is Aethos based?

Aethos is headquartered in Voorburg, Netherlands, in the Europe region.

How does Aethos make money?

Two revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales.

Who are Aethos's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Tarmac Aerosave, Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS) and Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA). Regional players are Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and DLR (German Aerospace Center). Broad incumbents are AerFin and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency). Emerging players are Carbon Cleanup, Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT and IRT Jules Verne.

Does Aethos have an API?

No public API is recorded for Aethos.

What industry is Aethos in?

Aethos's product category is Aviation Recycling Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAFAH, E-Waste (WEEE) Collection, Refurbishment & Recycling, with a secondary code of BPAHAJAK, Waste & Hazardous Materials Management (incl. HazMat). Its NAICS code is 562910 and its SIC code is 4953.