Vehicles

A research project by ETH Zurich in cooperation with BASF SE has examined a new recycling pathway for mixed plastic waste from end-of-life vehicles. The study explored the joint recycling of automotive shredder residue and biomass through gasification.

Although many people find the ‘new car smell’ appealing, the reality is that this aroma comes from the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a mixture of chemicals that can have harmful effects on both health and the environment.

BASF, Porsche and BEST have completed a pilot project demonstrating how gasification can recycle waste streams from end-of-life vehicles. Even complex shredder residues can be turned into feedstocks for new plastic components.

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.