The BMW Group has been a leader in advancing circularity in the automotive industry. Its Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) has been promoting sustainability for 30 years, developing and testing processes that significantly advance the recycling of parts and reusable materials. The expertise gained at the RDC is shared globally to promote a circular economy in the automotive industry and is also integrated into the product design process to consider recyclability from the outset.
The RDC recycles several thousand vehicles annually, mostly pre-series vehicles used for testing that cannot be sold to end customers. These vehicles are dismantled using a standardized process to identify reusable series components and materials suitable for recycling.
What started as a company-owned recycling facility in 1994 has transformed into a renowned centre of excellence for vehicle recycling. With new regulations and ambitious targets, the RDC will play an even more important role in the future, as the expertise it has built is key to further improving vehicle recyclability.
The BMW Group has played a key role in setting up the IDIS (International Dismantling Information System) platform, where the RDC publishes its data and findings, available free of charge to recycling companies worldwide. Around 3,000 organizations in 32 countries currently use the joint recycling database to learn how to dismantle recyclable components and recover valuable materials efficiently, contributing to reducing the environmental footprint.
The vehicle recycling process at the RDC begins with the controlled release of restraint systems and the removal of all fluids. A proprietary BMW Group process neutralizes the pyrotechnics in the airbags and removes oil from shock absorbers using a specially developed device.
During the dismantling phase, the focus is on recycling individual components, passing functional components in mint condition and with series status on to registered dealers for resale. In the mechanical dismantling of the vehicle, materials such as copper in the wiring harnesses are separated using a specially designed excavator. Once the engine block and gearbox are removed, the remaining vehicle is pressed and shredded at an external recycling facility.
The targeted dismantling of metals at the RDC ensures that today’s scrap becomes tomorrow’s raw material, to the greatest possible extent and in the best possible quality, which is not only important for the environment but also financially viable. Separate dismantling of the catalytic converter is also economically efficient due to the valuable precious metals it contains. This highlights the financial viability of the sustainability efforts aimed at reducing emissions and conserving resources.
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