The documents address vehicles, refrigerators and temperature exchange equipment, as well as small appliances and ICT products. They are intended to support manufacturers in improving the recyclability of plastic components and preparing for forthcoming European regulatory requirements.
The guidelines build on developments from 2025, when RecyClass introduced the first Recyclability Evaluation Protocols for automotive and EEE applications. These protocols analyse how plastics commonly used in these sectors behave in established recycling streams. Six test campaigns conducted in the same year were used to assess the protocols and to generate data on the recyclability of selected materials and components.
RecyClass has also published a protocol for multi-plastic components. The document examines how different polymer combinations and assembly methods affect sorting efficiency, material purity, cross-contamination and the quality of recyclates. The protocol is intended to support manufacturers in assessing whether polymers can be recovered at quality levels suitable for reintegration into automotive and EEE applications.
The new guidelines and protocols provide a framework for evaluating the recyclability of plastic components in sectors characterised by complex and multi-material product designs. They are published as companies in the automotive and electronics value chains prepare for regulatory requirements and seek to increase the use of recycled plastics in their products.
