Insight
Driving Scope 3 carbon reductions through rare gas recycling
Aerospace manufacturers are facing ever-increasing pressure to reduce emissions not just in their own operations but throughout their supply chains. Scope 3 emissions – once seen as a distant target, now demand practical solutions. One of the most under-appreciated sources of upstream emissions is the use and waste of high-value industrial gases such as argon, krypton, neon, and helium.
These gases are critical to advanced processes, including turbine blade growth/coating, additive manufacturing, and vacuum heat treatments of exotic alloys. However, we often overlook the embedded carbon in their supply: extraction, liquefaction, transport, and waste all carry hidden CO₂ and cost burdens.
The GR2L approach: recycling, not just reducing
At Gas Recovery & Recycle Ltd (GR2L), we believe the solution lies in closing the loop. Rather than buying virgin gas, using it once and then venting or discarding it, we capture it at the point of use, purify it, and directly feed it back into the process.
Our technology is proven in high-integrity manufacturing environments and delivers real outcomes:
- Deep Scope 3 CO₂ reductions: By reducing dependence on virgin gas supply, you cut embedded upstream emissions. For example, production of fresh argon alone can generate a significant CO₂ footprint, which our systems help avoid (https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/09/19/uk-firm-to-supply-argon-recycling-tech-for-2-gw-of-solar-in-india/)
- Operational resilience: The supply of gases like neon and helium is increasingly constrained, volatile, and expensive. Recycling mitigates dependence on external supply chains.
- Cost control and value creation: By recovering up to 90 % (or more) of used gas in a closed loop, manufacturers reduce consumption and waste, improving profitability. ArgonØ Argon Recycling – GR2L Gas Recycling Systems
- High-integrity performance: Aerospace manufacturing cannot tolerate compromise on gas purity or consistency. GR2L’s systems deliver recycled gas at equivalent specifications to virgin supply, even in demanding inert-atmosphere processes. (gr2l.co.uk)
Our recycled-gas solutions transform inert-gas usage from a cost and risk centre into a strategic asset.
Why this matters in aerospace manufacturing
In the aerospace sector, components made of titanium, aluminium, and exotic alloys demand inert atmospheres (typically argon) to avoid oxidation and contamination during heat treatment, coating, and additive manufacturing. (https://gr2l.co.uk/aerospace-heat-treatments/)
These processes use large volumes of inert purge gas – often vented after a single use or minimally recovered. The net outcome: high material cost, significant environmental burden and increasing supply-chain risk.
By deploying our systems, aerospace manufacturers can:
- Reduce the carbon footprint of their material and energy supply chain (i.e., Scope 3 emissions)
- Improve gas supply security and reduce cost exposure to gas market volatility
- Maintain the high precision and quality standards demanded by aerospace production
Implementation and industry proof
Our flagship product, the ArgonØ™ Argon Recycling system, is already proven in high-value industries, including additive manufacturing, vacuum furnaces and heat treatments and Silicon ingot growing.
For aerospace heat treatment applications, we have optimised configurations: either using ArgonØ alone, or combined with our NitroØ™ system, where nitrogen removal from the purge gas stream is critical.
See our application page: Aerospace Heat Treatments.
A recent independent feature noted:
“GR2L was founded in 2008 … developed in collaboration with Cambridge University … their innovative approach addressed a critical gap in conventional gas purification technologies.” (GR2L: leading gas recovery and recycling | Special features | gasworld)
And a key order for our technology in the solar-PV industry reported recycling rates of up to 96 %. (UK firm to supply argon recycling technology to 2 GW Mundra solar facility – pv magazine India)
How to get started
If you’re working in aerospace manufacturing and aiming to turn your inert-gas supply from a cost centre into a strategic advantage, here are the next steps:
- Assess your purge-gas consumption, venting rates and current cost & carbon footprint.
- Identify candidate processes (e.g., vacuum heat-treatment, additive manufacturing) where inert-gas recycling can be deployed.
- Engage our team to evaluate a pilot/installation of ArgonØ (or combination with NitroØ).
- Track metrics: gas consumption reduced, CO₂ emissions saved, cost savings realised.
- Scale the solution across your facilities and supply chain to maximise Scope 3 reductions.
We’re specialists in this space – and we’d love to support you. Talk to our team today about how we can help you realise material carbon reductions, cost savings and supply-chain resilience.
Get in touch
To discuss how GR2L can decrease your carbon footprint and vastly improve your bottom line, get in touch..