In order to improve End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) processing, incentivise reuse, and to protect resources, the European Commission is proposing new rules for vehicles covering design through to end-of-life. In fact, if implemented, the new rules will enable significant increased amounts of scrap from automotive, and set minimum recycling rates in future.
Sensible suggestions such as improving rules on how vehicles are designed to be more easily dismantled could and likely should be applied to the wider world of equipment, simplifying where possible the complexity of the scrap feedstock and processes needed to treat scrap. Preventing the mixing of ELV scrap with other waste is an option suggested, but this would of course take some time to set up, investment and permitting.
Upsetting various modelling no doubt, it’s striking that 3.5 million vehicles per year go missing in the EU, presumably exported or disposed of unofficially. This loss of material to the unknown is of course a focus because it is likely avoidable and from the environmental perspective unwelcome.
MM Markets intelligence suggests that the European Commission has the automotive world wondering if enough plastic of the right type will be available in future. It appears that the regulation is aiming for a 25% recycled content target for new vehicles. A key source being recycled consumer scrap. Further EU statistics and plans can be read here https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/end-life-vehicles/end-life-vehicles-regulation_en.
Thank you, and until next time!
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MM Markets personal view. Freepik.com.
