According to Euractiv, the European Union's automotive industry supports the European Commission's 25% recycling target for new vehicles.
EU lawmakers are slow to set targets for automotive plastic and steel recycling, but the industry insists that these targets are achievable and necessary to stimulate growth in demand.
In 2023, the European Commission made a proposal for end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). According to it, 25% of the plastic used in new cars should be made from recycled materials, including ELVs.
However, both the European Parliament and the European Council have paused the negotiations, as some member states want to reduce the plastic target to 15%.
At the same time, the recycling industry supports the European Commission's 25% recycled plastic target for new vehicles.
"This goal is based on extensive research that proves it is achievable and is the most effective way to increase the recyclability of automotive plastics," said Maria Vera Duran, Senior Manager of the European Recycling Industry Association (EuRIC), in a comment to Euractiv.
What is the current situation with the use of recycled plastic in the EU
Several car manufacturers have already set their recycling targets. Volvo aims to reach 25 % of recycled materials by 2025, while Renault has set a target of 33% by 2030.
The Mobilize Duo, a Renault Group model scheduled for release in April, will have a new 60% recycled plastic record. This was reported to Euractiv by Raluca Barb from The Future is Neutral, a circular economy operator in the automotive industry.
According to the study by the European Commission's Joint Research Center, car manufacturers currently use 5% to 20 % of recycled materials.
"In most cases the price of recycled plastic offers a competitive advantage over virgin plastic, which is why manufacturers have historically integrated recycled plastic into their vehicles," said Veolia, one of Europe's largest plastic recyclers, according to Euractiv.
A senior manager at EuRIC believes that the introduction of mandatory measures to encourage the use of recycled materials is “necessary to create market demand and secure investment to increase recycling capacity in the EU.”
In early March, EcoPolitic reported that under pressure from the industry, the EU wants to ease the rules for automakers to comply with CO2 emission standards.
