Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has won the 2026 Air Cargo Sustainability Award in the corporate category for developing a fully recycled cargo packaging solution designed to reduce plastic waste across the global air freight industry.
The award, sponsored by CHAMP Cargosystems, was presented during the 2026 Executive Summit organised by The International Air Cargo Association in Warsaw, Poland.
More than 320 air cargo professionals attended the three-day event, held from 1 to 3 June, to discuss the future of the industry and recognise achievements in innovation, leadership and sustainability.
Recycled cargo film recognised
Hactl received the award for its project, Redefining Cargo Packaging Through Circular Materials, which focuses on replacing traditional cargo packaging with aviation-grade polyethene film produced entirely from post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials.
The initiative aims to reduce plastic waste throughout the air cargo supply chain and ultimately support the transition towards fully recycled packaging solutions.
According to Hactl, the project has resulted in the development and laboratory validation of the world’s first 100% PCR cargo film capable of meeting the demanding operational and mechanical requirements of air cargo handling.
The company said the innovation demonstrates that environmental sustainability can be achieved without compromising operational performance.
Industry leaders praise innovation
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited Chief Executive Frosti Lau said sustainability remains central to the company’s long-term strategy.
He said Hactl would continue to invest in innovation and collaborate with industry partners committed to reducing aviation’s environmental footprint.
TIACA Chair Roos Bakker said Hactl’s work demonstrated the type of innovative thinking needed to address sustainability challenges across the sector.
She said the initiative showed how collaboration and a willingness to rethink traditional practices could help shape the future of global air cargo.
Practical solution with global potential
TIACA Director General Glyn Hughes said the project stood out among this year’s submissions because of its practical application, measurable environmental benefits and potential for wider adoption throughout international supply chains.
He said initiatives such as Hactl’s represented exactly the type of innovation the awards programme was created to recognise.
Meanwhile, CHAMP Cargosystems Chief Executive Manuel Galindo said the achievement highlighted how scalable solutions could deliver both operational and environmental improvements.
He added that greater collaboration across the air cargo ecosystem would be essential to accelerating sustainability efforts.
Industry encouraged to submit future projects
The TIACA Air Cargo Sustainability Awards recognise organisations that deliver measurable environmental, social and economic benefits while supporting the long-term sustainability goals of the global air cargo industry.
The organisation said submissions for the 2027 awards are expected to open later this year, encouraging companies, start-ups and innovators from across the supply chain to showcase new sustainability initiatives.