Pilot Study Demonstrates Successful Recovery of 8 Tons of Plastics from End‑of‑Life Vehicles

The Global Impact Coalition (GIC), a group led by CEOs of chemical companies, reported the results of its study: Automotive Plastics Circularity. 

Eight companies - BASF, Covestro, LG Chem, LyondellBasell, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Sabic, Suez and Syensqo – collaborated to process 100 end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) through a full dismantling, shredding and sorting chain, recovering approximately 8 metric tons of plastic from vehicles of different ages, makes and conditions.

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The recycling project dismantled 100 end-of-life vehicles to recover plastics. Source: GIC

The recovered 8 tons of plastic material represents over 50% of the available plastic in the vehicles, according to the report. Multi-material parts, paint residues, and other contaminants negatively impacted the yield of usable polymers. The process targeted 15 polymers, and recovered fractions were transferred to partner companies for mechanical and chemical recycling evaluation.  

According to the GIC, commercial viability remains to be established. Remaining barriers include coordination, economics, and the absence of a value chain framework that aligns incentives across all actors: OEMs, dismantlers, waste management companies, and chemical producers.

Under a new EU regulation, new cars must contain 25% recycled plastic by 2036, with at least 20% sourced from closed-loop vehicle recycling. The current closed-loop share stands at approximately 2.5%. Each year, 800,000 metric tons of plastic from vehicles is incinerated or land-filled across Europe. 

The GIC plans to evaluate economic viability in the next phase of its work, by developing scenario modeling and experimentation in automation, chemical recycling, and design for recycling.