Home
Search History
Clear History
{{item.search_key}}
Hot Searches
Change
{{item.name}}
{{item.english_name}}
Subscribe eNews
Once A Week Once Every Two Weeks
{{sum}}
{{sum}}
Login

Please Login

Subscribe To Tags, See What You Want To See

Sign Up For Events, Expand your network

Unlock Private Messages, Participate In Interactions

 Register

Hi.{{userInfo.company_name_english||userInfo.truename_english}} Hi.{{userInfo.truename||userInfo.phone||userInfo.email}}

Applications

Röhm and partners establishes Europe-wide alliance for recycling PMMA

Novolex to acquire Pactiv Evergreen with US$6.7 billion

Covestro to invest pilot plant for chemically recycling of elastomers

Products

Dow enhances comfort experience in slabstock foam with cutting-edge polyether polyol

Clariant introduces new Plus series syngas catalysts to market

TMA AUTOMATION begins construction of office and production building in Poland

Activities

  • Round Table at Fakuma 2023: “Plastic – Recyclable Rather Than Problem Material!”

  • ArabPlast 2023 – The Success Journey Continues………..

  • GREAT NEWS! INAPA 2023 IS COMING BACK 24 - 26 May 2023 at JIExpo Jakarta, Indonesia

Pictorial

Industry Topic

ASEAN: The Next Manufacturing Hub

Innovative and Sustainable Packaging

Recycling and Circular Economy

CHINAPLAS

CHINAPLAS 2024 Focus

CHINAPLAS 2023 Focus

Exhibition Topic

Fakuma 2024 Highlights

CHINA FOCUS

K 2022 FOCUS

News Videos

strap belt winder | strap band winder | packing belt winder | packing band winder

Discover how Star Plastics processes recycled plastics

(Interview) CPCIF: How to achieve circular and economical

Conference Videos

【Mandarin session:Webinar playback】BASF:Tinuvin® NOR® 211 AR - High performing and value-in-use NOR® HALS® that can resist high levels of UV light, heat and acids

[Webinar playback] SABIC Webinar : Enabling a Circular Economy for Plastics Together

【Mandarin session:Webinar playback】The new generation application of Siriusvision inspection technology in the printing industry

Corporate/Product Videos

ENGEL adheres to the concept of circular economy, focuses on new plastics technology, and we are committed to provide our customers with suitable and high efficient injection molding solutions.

LSP -1600HDPE Three layer Solid Pipe Coextrusion Line

Zhuhai CPT Precision Mold Co.,LTD

Exhibition

Playback TECHHUB@CPRJ Live Streaming for CHINAPLAS

Events

Playback 5th Edition CHINAPLAS x CPRJ Plastics Recycling and Circular Economy Conference and Showcase

News
NEW
HOT
 Events
NEW
HOT
 Special
NEW
HOT
 Video
NEW
HOT
 Live
NEW
HOT
 eNews
NEW
HOT
 eBook
NEW
HOT
 Event Calendar
NEW
HOT
 Survey
NEW
HOT
 CHINA FOCUS
NEW
HOT

Home > News > Recycling

ELV plastics circularity: Challenges and solutions

Source：Global Impact Coalition Date ：2024-11-15 Editor ：VC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

While recycling rates may seem high, they often mask underlying challenges. For example, Eurostat reported that in 2021, the EU's reuse, recycling, and recovery rate for End-of-life Vehicle (ELV) was 88%.


This impressive figure suggests that the recycling of vehicles is on track. However, a deeper look reveals that these rates are primarily based on the weight of materials recycled, which mostly includes heavy metals, with limited attention to lighter-weight plastics.


Moreover, the EU’s definition of “reuse, recycling, and recovery” includes incineration for energy recovery, meaning that incinerated plastics are counted toward the total recycling rate.


In Europe, only 19% of ELV plastics are recycled each year, while 41% are incinerated for energy and 40% end up in landfills. With over six million vehicles reaching the end of their life each year in Europe, millions of tonnes of valuable materials are lost to the economy annually.


GIC_1_500.jpg

Figure 1: ELV plastic collected, recycled, incinerated and landfilled


Challenges in boosting recycling rates


The EU's updated ELV rules encourage improved ELV treatment quality, reuse, and efficient resource use, covering all aspects of a vehicle's lifecycle. The new EU ELV directive draft aims for 25% of plastic in new cars need to be recycled plastic, of which a minimum of 25% have to be sourced from ELVs (meaning around 6% of plastic should be “closed-loop”).


Most recycled plastic in vehicles currently comes from mechanical recycling, with approximately 80% derived from post-industrial waste, which is more homogeneous and easier to recycle. In contrast, post-consumer plastic is far less recycled due to challenges with collection, separating, sorting, and quality control.


A variety of plastics, each selected for their unique properties, contribute to vehicle aesthetics, functionality, and fuel efficiency. Different polymers are used for various vehicle components, such as dashboards, light fixtures, seat covers, and foam cushions.


GIC_2_500.jpg

Figure 2: Polymer mix in passenger cars


Recycling ELV plastics poses two main challenges:

1. Vehicles contain a complex mix of polymers and multi-material components.

2. When ELVs are dismantled and shredded, plastics that were not initially separated become mixed, complicating and increasing the cost of separation.


As a result, only a small fraction of the recycled plastic in new vehicles originates from ELVs, making the target for 6% closed-loop plastics challenging to achieve.


GIC_3.png

Figure 3: Downstream steps from car collection to polymer recycling

 

Emerging technologies show potential


Some polymers, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are more compatible with mechanical recycling, while others require chemical recycling. Polypropylene (PP), which represents the largest plastic component in vehicles, is already subject to higher recycling standards.


Focusing on light polymers and sustainable management through innovative treatments, such as sorting, dissolution/precipitation, extrusion, catalytic pyrolysis, and plastic upgrading, could significantly increase recycling rates.


These novel approaches have the potential to increase the amount of ELV plastic recycled annually from 3% to 50%, reducing the share of plastics sent to incineration or landfills.


Recycling for materials like polyurethane (PUR) and multi-material components in seats and gaskets is still in the experimental phase and warrants further exploration.


Ideally, each disassembled plastic part should be assessed for the best recycling practices to improve ELV plastic recovery rates. Studies indicate that recycling specific parts, like bumpers and fuel tanks, is more sustainable than using virgin materials.

 

Industry collaboration toward a solution


To increase the closed-loop and recycled plastic content in new vehicles, it will be critical to engage with vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) together with the full value automotive value chain.


By embracing producer responsibility, OEMs are motivated to partner with suppliers and recyclers to increase both the quality and quantity of recycled materials and move closer to closing the loop.


Through collaboration, industry stakeholders can share expertise, co-invest in critical technologies, and establish offtake agreements to drive large-scale changes.


The Global Impact Coalition is uniting chemical companies, dismantlers, shredders, sorters, and OEMs to streamline the ELV plastic recycling process.


By focusing on disassembly and sorting improvements, they aim to enhance the entire ELV plastics recycling value chain — a crucial step in collecting the ELV plastics needed to meet EU targets and realizing the value of the many polymers found in vehicles.


* Written by Amanda Martin, Global Impact Coalition and Ana de la Cal, Net Zero Chemistry

** Edited by Adsale Plastics Network



 Like 丨  {{details_info.likes_count}}
Automotive
Recycling
Circular economy
 Tangshan Zhonghao Chemical Co., Ltd      
 SACMI (SHANGHAI) MACHINERY EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.      
 Oechsler Plastic Products (Taicang) Co.,Ltd      
 Quanzhou Juyuan Plastic Machinery Co.,Ltd.      
 Rongsheng Petrochemical Co., Ltd.      

The content you're trying to view is for members only. If you are currently a member, Please login to access this content.   Login

Source：Global Impact Coalition Date ：2024-11-15 Editor ：VC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

While recycling rates may seem high, they often mask underlying challenges. For example, Eurostat reported that in 2021, the EU's reuse, recycling, and recovery rate for End-of-life Vehicle (ELV) was 88%.


This impressive figure suggests that the recycling of vehicles is on track. However, a deeper look reveals that these rates are primarily based on the weight of materials recycled, which mostly includes heavy metals, with limited attention to lighter-weight plastics.


Moreover, the EU’s definition of “reuse, recycling, and recovery” includes incineration for energy recovery, meaning that incinerated plastics are counted toward the total recycling rate.


In Europe, only 19% of ELV plastics are recycled each year, while 41% are incinerated for energy and 40% end up in landfills. With over six million vehicles reaching the end of their life each year in Europe, millions of tonnes of valuable materials are lost to the economy annually.


GIC_1_500.jpg

Figure 1: ELV plastic collected, recycled, incinerated and landfilled


Challenges in boosting recycling rates


The EU's updated ELV rules encourage improved ELV treatment quality, reuse, and efficient resource use, covering all aspects of a vehicle's lifecycle. The new EU ELV directive draft aims for 25% of plastic in new cars need to be recycled plastic, of which a minimum of 25% have to be sourced from ELVs (meaning around 6% of plastic should be “closed-loop”).


Most recycled plastic in vehicles currently comes from mechanical recycling, with approximately 80% derived from post-industrial waste, which is more homogeneous and easier to recycle. In contrast, post-consumer plastic is far less recycled due to challenges with collection, separating, sorting, and quality control.


A variety of plastics, each selected for their unique properties, contribute to vehicle aesthetics, functionality, and fuel efficiency. Different polymers are used for various vehicle components, such as dashboards, light fixtures, seat covers, and foam cushions.


GIC_2_500.jpg

Figure 2: Polymer mix in passenger cars


Recycling ELV plastics poses two main challenges:

1. Vehicles contain a complex mix of polymers and multi-material components.

2. When ELVs are dismantled and shredded, plastics that were not initially separated become mixed, complicating and increasing the cost of separation.


As a result, only a small fraction of the recycled plastic in new vehicles originates from ELVs, making the target for 6% closed-loop plastics challenging to achieve.


GIC_3.png

Figure 3: Downstream steps from car collection to polymer recycling

 

Emerging technologies show potential


Some polymers, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are more compatible with mechanical recycling, while others require chemical recycling. Polypropylene (PP), which represents the largest plastic component in vehicles, is already subject to higher recycling standards.


Focusing on light polymers and sustainable management through innovative treatments, such as sorting, dissolution/precipitation, extrusion, catalytic pyrolysis, and plastic upgrading, could significantly increase recycling rates.


These novel approaches have the potential to increase the amount of ELV plastic recycled annually from 3% to 50%, reducing the share of plastics sent to incineration or landfills.


Recycling for materials like polyurethane (PUR) and multi-material components in seats and gaskets is still in the experimental phase and warrants further exploration.


Ideally, each disassembled plastic part should be assessed for the best recycling practices to improve ELV plastic recovery rates. Studies indicate that recycling specific parts, like bumpers and fuel tanks, is more sustainable than using virgin materials.

 

Industry collaboration toward a solution


To increase the closed-loop and recycled plastic content in new vehicles, it will be critical to engage with vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) together with the full value automotive value chain.


By embracing producer responsibility, OEMs are motivated to partner with suppliers and recyclers to increase both the quality and quantity of recycled materials and move closer to closing the loop.


Through collaboration, industry stakeholders can share expertise, co-invest in critical technologies, and establish offtake agreements to drive large-scale changes.


The Global Impact Coalition is uniting chemical companies, dismantlers, shredders, sorters, and OEMs to streamline the ELV plastic recycling process.


By focusing on disassembly and sorting improvements, they aim to enhance the entire ELV plastics recycling value chain — a crucial step in collecting the ELV plastics needed to meet EU targets and realizing the value of the many polymers found in vehicles.


* Written by Amanda Martin, Global Impact Coalition and Ana de la Cal, Net Zero Chemistry

** Edited by Adsale Plastics Network



全文内容需要订阅后才能阅读哦~
立即订阅
product advertising Tangshan Zhonghao Chemical Co., Ltd

Leave Comment

Submit

All Comments

No Comment

{{VueShowUserOrCompany(itme.user)}}

{{ toolTimes(itme.updated_at,'s') }}

{{itme.body}}

Reply   
Submit
{{VueShowUserOrCompany(itmes.user)}} {{ toolTimes(itmes.updated_at,'s') }} Reply

{{itmes.body}}

Submit
FCS button ad EN Yizumi button ad EN 堃润 按钮广告EN

Recommended Articles

Recycling
Röhm and partners establishes Europe-wide alliance for recycling PMMA
 2024-12-20
Recycling
Covestro to invest pilot plant for chemically recycling of elastomers
 2024-12-18
Recycling
EuRIC plastics recyclers publish roadmap for industry competitiveness and innovation
 2024-12-17
Recycling
UMAC expands immediately available recycling line
 2024-12-09
Recycling
Rethinking plastic life: Case studies in Asian countries
 2024-12-04
Recycling
(INC-5 Direct) INC-5 adjourned without agreement, follow-up session planned in 2025
 2024-12-02
AdsaleCPRJ.com A1 420x90 EN AdsaleCPRJ.com A1 - EMP - EN

You May Also Like

{{[item['category']['name'],item['category']['english_name']][lang]}}
{{VueShowUserOrCompany(item.author)}} {{VueShowDisplayName(item.author)}}
Sponsored
{{item.title}} {{item['summary']}}
{{itags.name}}
{{item.updated_at}}
 {{item.likes_count}}       {{item.comments_count}}
Chongqing Polycomp International Corporation BERNEX Suzhou Hechang Polymeric Materials Co., Ltd
  • Must See
    • News
    Images
    Watch it
1
(INC-5 Direct) China at forefront of plastics treaty talks
2
(Interview) Generating US$26 million with 5 injection molding machines
3
ELV recycling in China: Insights
4
Eastman Aventa materials rapidly biodegrade in seawater
5
(INC-5 Direct) UNEP Chief: Don’t let the treaty become meaningless
1
Antioxidant DSTDP
1
Trip to South Korea: A visit to Hyundai Motorstudio Busan
2
(Interview) IPE: 5 steps to address plastic pollution
3
Trip to South Korea: Meeting an old friend and contributor
4
Trip to South Korea: INC-5 opens today
5
Trip to South Korea: Different practices, same goal
  • Hot Specials

You May Be Interested In

Change
  • People
  • Company
loading... No Content
{{[item.truename,item.truename_english][lang]}} {{[item.company_name,item.company_name_english][lang]}} {{[item.job_name,item.name_english][lang]}}
{{[item.company_name,item.company_name_english][lang]}} Company Name    {{[item.display_name,item.display_name_english][lang]}}  

Polyurethane Investment Medical Carbon neutral Reduce cost and increase efficiency CHINAPLAS Financial reports rPET INEOS Styrolution Evonik Borouge Polystyrene (PS) mono-material Sustainability Circular economy BASF SABIC Multi-component injection molding machine All-electric injection molding machine Thermoforming machine

ELV plastics circularity: Challenges and solutions

识别右侧二维码，进入阅读全文
下载
x 关闭
订阅
亲爱的用户，请填写一下信息
I have read and agree to the 《Terms of Use》 and 《Privacy Policy》
立即订阅
Top
Feedback
Chat
News
Market News
Applications
Products
Video
In Pictures
Specials
Activities
eBook
Front Line
Plastics Applications
Chemicals and Raw Material
Processing Technologies
Products
Injection
Extrusion
Auxiliary
Blow Molding
Mold
Hot Runner
Screw
Applications
Packaging
Automotive
Medical
Recycling
E&E
LED
Construction
Others
Events
Conference
Webinar
CHINAPLAS
CPS+ eMarketplace
Official Publications
CPS eNews
Media Kit
Social Media
Facebook
Youtube
Adsale Group ｜  About Us ｜  Terms of Use ｜  Privacy Policy ｜  Contact Us ｜  Media Kit ｜  Consent Letter for Processing Personal Data ｜