The European automotive sector is at a critical turning point. As the EU revises vehicle circularity legislation, civil society organisations, think thanks and recycling industries urge the European Parliament and the Council to adopt stronger targets for recycled steel in automotive production.
“Binding targets for recycled steel in new vehicles are key to decarbonise automotive production, and boost Europe’s resilience by fast-tracking high-quality, closed-loop recycling,” said Fynn Hauschke, Senior Policy Officer Circular Economy and Waste at EEB. “New studies provide clear evidence that such targets are both feasible and effective. It is key that they are included in the proposed Vehicle Regulation now.”
In July 2023, the European Commission adopted its proposal to revise and merge the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive and the 3R Type-Approval Directive into a single Regulation on Circularity Requirements for Vehicle Design and on Management of End-of-Life Vehicles.
The proposal aims to strengthen the EU single market while improving the circularity of the sector and reducing the environmental impacts associated with the design, production, use, and end-of-life treatment of vehicles.
“Better use of steel scrap will significantly decarbonise and reduce waste in both the steel and automotive sectors. Setting recycled content targets would actually boost demand for cleaner, profitable recycled steel,” said Zachary Azdad, Vehicles Policy Officer at Transport & Environment. “EU lawmakers should not not be afraid to introduce those targets in the revised End-of-life Vehicles Regulation.”
With this joint statement, the signatories call for strong measures to increase the uptake of recycled steel in the automotive sector.
“A mandatory local recycled content target for steel in new vehicles is key to enhance the competitiveness of the whole European automotive value chain to support its low carbon transition,” said Veronica Plazinic, Technical Advisor at EuRIC, which represents 5,500 recycling companies across Europe.