The development of vehicle recycling in Europe: Sorting, shredding, and separation

The large scale mechanical processing of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) started in the United States and was improved in Europe. In the United States, ELV recycling focused on high volumes while in Europe, optimization of processing plants was directed at high grades and recoveries. Legislation by the European Commission (EC) and the fast-growing consumption of metals in China has created an uneven playing field and new markets, which influences the technological developments in the United States and the European Union. In the Netherlands, the EC legislation has been implemented by car dismantling and in the future, mechanical auto shredder residue processing will be added to reduce cost.