Steering Circularity in the automotive industry

Turning complex waste into high-value products

Less than 3% of plastics in new vehicles come from recycled end-of-life vehicles, today. In this dialogue, ETH Zurich highlights the urgent need to boost plastic recycling rates in the automotive industry. We tackle this challenge for each individual waste stream. Beginning with sorted automotive plastic waste, BASF and ZF LIFETEC will share their innovative plans for mechanical recycling of polyurethanes (PU).  Even the most complex automotive waste will be addressed: shredder residues. Together, the partners will demonstrate the measures required to rapidly expand the mechanical recycling and gasification of plastic waste from the automotive industry. ETH Zurich analyzes the environmental impact of this recycling technology and assesses the regulatory frameworks.