Viewpoint

Everyone wants to support a championship-winning team, and everyone knows that the best way to build a team worth supporting is by selecting players from the ground up. Isolating their strengths and talents to make a final product that is greater than the sum of its parts. And to build a roster that flows together easily and supports each other’s strengths and weaknesses flawlessly.

As cars become more electronic, there is a growing movement to recycle the embedded electronics separately. This is because these electronics contain valuable metals that can be reused. Currently, these electronics are not recycled separately, which is inefficient and wasteful. Charles Marmy, Environmental Scientist and Engineer at Empa, a Swiss research institution for application-oriented materials science and technology, is studying this issue and has found that it is both environmentally and economically beneficial to recycle embedded electronics separately. His research is helping to change policies in Switzerland and the EU so that they can move towards a more sustainable automotive future.

Since its inception in 1935 as Sugiyama Yohachi Shoten in Sakhalin, Japan, MATEC Inc. (MATEC) has embarked on a remarkable journey of evolution and growth. Over the decades, the company underwent multiple transformations, eventually becoming MATEC Inc. in 1992. This vehicle recycling operation has become integral to the automotive industry’s sustainable practices. Auto Recycling World learns more about MATEC’s history, practices, and future endeavors.

Previously, precious metals like iridium and platinum were lost during the recycling of spark plugs. However, PGM Recovery Systems (now noble6) has patented a high-speed robotic process that can recover these critical elements. This means that there is now an opportunity to be remunerated for collecting spark plugs in bulk. Edmund Schwenk, CEO of noble6, is addressing this long-standing dilemma of spark plug waste. He believes that this new technology has the potential to revolutionize the recycling industry and help to conserve these precious metals.

Salling Autogenbrug, based in Skive Municipality, Denmark, cracked the code for a greener future. Collaborating with Erhvervshus Midtjylland, Salling Autogenbrug pioneers disassembly techniques, repurposing materials, reducing waste, and slashing CO2 emissions.

Dr Paul Nieuwenhuis, Automotive Philosopher at Sustainable Automobility, explores the closed loop economy. He emphasises sustaining livable conditions on Earth and delves into reusing and recycling materials within our economy.

Argentina’s auto recycling industry is facing a perfect storm. On one side, the government has imposed strict regulations on the sale of used auto parts, effectively banning the majority of the industry. On the other side, there is a shortage of dollars to import new parts, and inflation is making it difficult for businesses to operate. As a result, the illegal auto recycling market is booming. Thieves are stealing vehicles and stripping them for parts, which is leading to safety concerns and environmental problems.

Interempresas.net recently featured an interview with Manuel Kindelan, the CEO of Sigrauto, where he discussed how new legislation is transforming waste management practices, driven by society’s growing awareness of resource utilization, waste reduction, and the promotion of material and product reuse – all aiming to advance the concept of a circular economy.

In June 2023, the European Commission presented a new regulation on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). The regulation aims to improve the recovery and recycling of ELVs and reduce the environmental impact of ELVs. In this article, Mathieu Millet, President of Evalucar France – specialists in total loss vehicle management, provides his thoughts on the ELV regulation and looks at its potential benefits and challenges.

Auto Recycling World spoke with Arthur Rufino, the CEO of OCTA Circular Economy Ltd (OCTA), a Brazil-based company revolutionising the automotive recycling industry. OCTA offers innovative solutions for the sale of end-of-life vehicles and provides access to high-quality reused parts through its network of approved disassembly centres. Their mission is to promote the circular economy and generate both savings and sustainability for fleets. By connecting sectors and fostering responsible governance, OCTA aims to reduce vehicle theft, minimise the number of abandoned vehicles, and contribute to a greener future. Arthur Rufino shares the company’s background, its transformative journey, and its significant impact on Brazil’s automotive recycling market.

Used semi-truck parts often face an unfair perception of being of “lesser quality,” while the businesses selling them are dismissed as junkyards or scrapyards. However, this perception couldn’t be further from the truth. Used truck parts are not only manufactured by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), but the beauty, or rather the utility of used parts, lies in the eyes of those smart enough to see them, buy them and sell them. Joshua Gwózdz, Marketing Specialist at Truck Parts Inventory (TPI), based in Canada, delves into the irony of labeling used parts as junk, explores the underlying reasons for the negative perspective surrounding them, and highlights the cost-effectiveness and reliability of the used truck parts market.

Becky Berube, President of United Catalyst Corporation (UCC), highlights the changing dynamics of the catalytic converter (CAT) market. Once a $50 core, converters are now highly valuable. And from what auto recyclers have told them, most full-serve yards don’t consider converter value, while most self-serve yards do. However, fluctuating metal prices pose risks. Despite uncertainties, the market is favorable, but staying informed and using effective selling strategies is crucial.

Auto Recycling World had the opportunity to speak with Mathieu Millet, President of Evalucar France, a specialist in total loss vehicle management. In this interview, Mathieu sheds light on Evalucar’s role in the auto recycling industry and discusses the current process of managing vehicles involved in accidents in France. He also shares insights into the potential changes that could arise if the proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy on vehicles is adopted. Additionally, Mathieu provides his perspective on finding a satisfactory solution or compromise that aligns with the current focus on sustainability.

Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) play a crucial role in reducing harmful emissions from modern diesel vehicles. As the automotive industry seeks to maximize the value of catalytic converters through recycling, understanding the functionality and significance of DOCs becomes increasingly important. In this article, Edmund Schwenk, Metallurgist/CEO from Noble6, a US-based automotive precious metals experts explores the purpose of DOCs and their contribution to diesel emission control systems.

In part two of our series with Troy Webber, creator of the Yardsmart App and third-generation owner of Chesterfield Auto Parts in Richmond, Virginia, US, we discuss the future, limitations and the reality of how artificial intelligence may integrate with the auto recycling community worldwide.

When Stuart Ady was just 14 years old, his curiosity led him to an abandoned auto-wrecking business. Little did he know that this encounter would shape his future. Today, Stuart is a prominent figure in Canada’s auto recycling circle, leading Ernie’s Used Auto Parts with a commitment to cleanliness, quality, and continuous improvement. In this article, we delve into Stuart’s journey, his family’s involvement in the business, and his unwavering dedication to staying at the forefront of the industry.

Groupe Surplus Recyclage has become a leading force in industrializing vehicle recycling for the automotive, motorbike, and industrial sectors. With a unique organizational model, Groupe Surplus Recyclage aims to optimize production and offer reliable and efficient reconditioned parts for all types of vehicles. Auto Recycling World spoke to Founder and President Laurent Hérail and Benjamin Hérail, General Manager, who discussed the formation, development, and vision of Groupe Surplus Recyclage, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced in the evolving landscape of auto recycling in France.

Scott Robertson, the owner of Robertson’s Auto Salvage and ex-President of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), discusses the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) on the auto recycling industry. From the end-of-life management of EV batteries to government incentives, Robertson explores the choices auto recyclers face and the opportunities arising from the EV wave.

In recent years, Japanese auto dismantlers have encountered significant challenges that have had a profound impact on their operations. One pressing issue revolves around the scarcity of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) reaching their yards. To shed light on this matter, Dr Kenichi Togawa, a Professor at Kumamoto University in Japan, joined forces with Yoko Yoshida from Metal Solution Provider Co., Ltd to share their perspectives with Auto Recycling World.

For the most part, most equity accrual within the confines of a typical Auto Recycler’s operation pretty much caps off when gross sales and the subsequent net profit caps off. In other words, reaching a peak in total sales will likely cause the business’s net worth to peak. With that said, in this article, Robert Steward, Tax Consultant at R.E. Steward & Associates, based in the US, discusses a method by which to continue to add to the company’s net worth by diversifying and investing a portion of the annual net profits into a vehicle that not only typically appreciates in value but also has the potential to produce tax savings benefits on an ongoing basis. That vehicle is income-producing real estate, both commercial and residential.