MÜNCHEN/NECKARSULM (dpa-AFX) - BMW and PreZero, a sister company of Lidl, have announced a partnership to recycle cars. The companies have signed a cooperation agreement, as they reported. The objective is to develop a business model for processing end-of-life vehicles and thus create a closed material cycle.
While details of the partnership remain somewhat vague at this stage, if successful, it could yield several positive effects. The initiative is focused not only on environmental benefits, but also aims to reduce dependence on raw materials and make supply chains more resilient.
End-of-life vehicles as a source of materials
"By developing a sustainable business model for an innovative material and recycling cycle, end-of-life vehicles are to be consistently used as a strategic source of materials," the companies stated. "Initially, components of a vehicle should remain in circulation as long as possible through continued use. The next step is to use innovative recycling processes to obtain more high-quality recycled materials and raw materials for further use. This would significantly reduce the need for primary raw materials."
BMW describes this as a "milestone." The partnership is intended for the long term. The two companies are working together on the project effective immediately, and expect to present initial results in a few months.
Each partner brings different expertise to the table. BMW has been working on designing cars for optimal recyclability and has gained experience at its recycling and dismantling center, which has been in operation since 1994.
PreZero will contribute its knowledge of European material flows and sorting technologies, as well as its experience as a battery recycler. The company, headquartered in Neckarsulm near Heilbronn, is Germany's second-largest waste management firm and, like Lidl and Kaufland, is part of the Schwarz Group. PreZero employs around 30,000 people./ruc/DP/jha
