As the EU prepares to overhaul regulations governing end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling, a recent webinar hosted by ASEPA (The Spanish Association of Automotive Professionals), and moderated by Ernesto Salas, President of Sigrauto, highlighted a clear frontrunner in this circular transition: Spain. Industry experts from Sigrauto, CESVIMAP, and Bosch gathered to discuss the road ahead for automotive circularity, underscoring how Spain is already meeting, and in many cases exceeding, the ambitions of the proposed EU directive.
Not New, Just Improved
The circular economy is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a legislative and industrial imperative. But as Manuel Kindelan, Director General of Sigrauto, noted, the concept isn’t new to the vehicle sector. “Long before the term ‘circular economy’ was coined, Spain already had a robust dismantling and vehicle recovery ecosystem,” he said. The existing European directive from 2000 has served as a strong foundation, with Spain enacting three national transpositions, culminating in the Royal Decree 265/2021.
The proposed EU regulation aims to increase recyclability, extend producer responsibility, and set higher targets for recovery. But Spain already treats 95% of a vehicle’s weight at end-of-life, often surpassing the EU benchmark.
A Model Market in Motion
Spain’s success comes down to a well-structured ecosystem driven by collaboration, market forces, and policy. Sigrauto, a coalition of automakers (ANFAC), dismantlers (AEDRA), and recyclers (FER), act as a permanent forum to coordinate efforts across the sector. It is not an extended producer responsibility (EPR) system but plays a critical role in aligning stakeholders.
As Kindelan pointed out, the vehicle sector’s circularity is supported by economic viability: the market for reused parts and recovered materials ensures sustainability without subsidies. “Without a market, there is no economy,” he stated. It’s a subtle but powerful reminder that policy must be paired with commercial incentives.
Batteries: The New Frontier
As the electric vehicle (EV) market grows, so does the challenge of managing EV batteries. José María Cancer Aboitiz, General Manager of CESVIMAP (MAPFRE’s automotive research division), emphasized that while few EVs have yet reached end-of-life, a wave is coming, and the industry must be ready.
CESVIMAP has developed a rigorous battery triage system, categorizing batteries as green (reusable in vehicles), blue (suitable for second-life energy storage), or red (damaged or degraded, suitable only for material recovery). Their work includes fire tests, submersion trials, and real-world second-life use cases, from urban microcharging to grid-level energy storage.
Perhaps the most memorable analogy came from Cancer, who compared the battery to the Iberian pig: “Nothing goes to waste.” Just as the whole pig becomes jamón, chorizo, and morcilla, so too can every component of a battery be repurposed, if the infrastructure is in place.
Remanufacturing in Action
Daniel Días from Bosch showcased another key pillar of circularity: remanufacturing. The Bosch Exchange program has been giving alternators and starter motors a second life since 1959. Using certified plants in Slovakia and Ukraine, the company remanufactures parts to OEM standards, offering identical warranties and up to 30% cost savings.
Bosch has embedded circularity into its core strategy, with all remanufacturing occurring within Europe to minimize carbon emissions and logistical risks. The company was also the first major industrial firm to become carbon neutral in 2020.
What Lies Ahead
The EU’s upcoming regulation, expected in 2026, will expand the scope to include motorcycles, trucks, and electric vehicles, enforce recycled content requirements, and introduce battery passports for traceability. However, as several speakers noted, many of these measures are already in place in Spain.
While some countries struggle with “missing vehicles” or illegal exports disguised as second-hand sales, Spain’s vehicle deregistration and traceability systems are among the best in Europe.
If Spain’s vehicle recycling model proves anything, it’s that ambitious circular economy goals are not just theoretical; they’re operational. With strong policy, industry cooperation, and a functioning market, the future of sustainable mobility is already here. The rest of Europe now has a road-tested blueprint to follow.
View the Webinar below:
(for English subtitles, click the ‘cc’ icon, then go to settings – subtitles – auto translate – and choose English).
About ASEPA
ASEPA, the Spanish Association of Automotive Professionals, was created in July 1996 and registered in the Registry of Associations of the Ministry of the Interior. Its primary objective is to promote training, development, and relationships among all Spanish professionals in the automotive and related technology sectors.
It is a non-profit association. Its founding included renowned professionals from the sector’s leading firms and their associations, as well as top-level academics from industrial engineering schools.
This Association is considered of the utmost importance, given our country’s significant role in automobile manufacturing, the level of development achieved by the Spanish automobile fleet, and the large number of highly qualified professionals who have made the excellent technological level of the entire sector possible.
Visit www.asepa.es
