Preparing for EPR for HDVs: What the Data Means for Recyclers

A new study by Strat Anticipation and E:MISIA, commissioned by ACEA, offers a detailed look at how end-of-life heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are currently treated – and what that means for operators preparing for extended producer responsibility (EPR). The research maps dismantling and shredding practices across different facilities and shows how strongly economics, environmental performance, and safety requirements influence each stage of the process.

Heavy-duty truck cabs piggybacked on a chassis travelling along a highway toward end-of-life processing p — Image credit: Envato Elements

The study examines the full dismantling chain, from depollution through to chassis and powertrain removal, and follows HDVs into shredding streams where steel, aluminium, and other valuable materials are recovered. Alongside this operational perspective, the report includes a robust modelling exercise of HDVs in use across eight countries, tracking import and export flows, deregistrations, and end-of-life volumes to give a clearer picture of future treatment demand.

For recyclers, one of the central insights is the set of trade-offs involved in choosing which parts to remove for resale or separate material recovery. The report looks at how these decisions are changing with the introduction of new sorting technologies for metals and plastics, and how they affect waste reduction, yield, and overall profitability. It also sheds light on the specific challenges and cost drivers associated with HDV bodywork treatment, an area likely to come under more scrutiny as EPR frameworks tighten.

Crucially, the study points to opportunities to design more efficient collection, take-back, and recycling networks tailored to HDVs. By aligning operational realities with upcoming producer obligations, the sector can move toward a more integrated, sustainable end-of-life ecosystem that works for recyclers, OEMs, and policymakers alike.