Vehicles

Dow, in partnership with Gruppo Fiori, has announced the latest advancements in a jointly-developed, novel process that enables recovery of polyurethane waste from end-of-life vehicles without disassembly.

Last week, MEPs adopted their proposals on new EU circularity rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment.

The European Parliament’s plenary vote on its position on the proposed End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR) marks an important step in advancing the circularity of the automotive sector. However, FEAD warns that certain requirements risk undermining the Regulation’s ability to deliver on its objectives.

Today the European Parliament voted on two crucial laws: one to tackle food and textile waste, and another to reduce the environmental footprint of vehicles from design to disposal.

The first set of RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols for Automotive and Electrical & Electronic Equipment (EEE) has been published following intense collaboration with the plastic value chain.

FEAD welcomes the Council’s adoption of a General Approach on the proposed End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR), but underlines several problematic clauses that need to be remedied during the Trilogue. While acknowledging the importance of progress in the legislative process, FEAD warns that diluting minimum recycled content targets and timelines undermines the Regulation’s ability to deliver true circularity in the automotive sector.

Today, Europe’s Environment Ministers bowed to pressure from the automotive industry by voting to weaken a crucial regulation to make the sector more circular, warn environmental NGOs.

In July 2023, the European Commission adopted its proposal for revising and merging the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive and the 3 R Type-Approval Directive into a Regulation on Vehicle Design and Management of End-of-Life Vehicles. The proposal aims to strengthen the EU single market while reducing the negative environmental impacts linked to the design, production, use, and end-of-life treatment of vehicles and contributing to improving the circularity and sustainability of the automotive and recycling sectors.

The European Commission has fined 15 major car manufacturers and the European Automobiles Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) a total of around €458 million for participating in a long-lasting cartel concerning end-of-life vehicle recycling. Mercedes-Benz was not fined, as it revealed the cartel to the Commission under the leniency programme. All companies admitted their involvement in the cartel and agreed to settle the case.

As the automotive industry accelerates its transition towards electric vehicles (EVs), the focus on sustainable practices has never been more critical. Central to this evolution is the lifecycle management of EV batteries, which poses both opportunities and challenges.

The European Parliament’s draft report on the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation, currently discussed, raises serious concerns about its impact on circularity in the automotive sector.