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Dow, Fiori to Develop Sustainable Solutions for Circular Mobility
The partnership allows both companies to work together along the European value chain, enlarging ecosystems to recycle materials obtained from end-of-life vehicles.
Stephen Moore
July 23, 2024
3 Min Read
Martin Ruegner/Stone via Getty Images
Dow and Fiori Group, an Italian company that collects, stores, and processes ferrous and non-ferrous materials, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the development of a new ecosystem for recycling end-of-life (EOL) parts and materials of vehicles.
The MoU addresses both companies’ intent to handle analysis of the automobile dismantling process and its impact on EOL waste fraction quality and suitability for recycling processes, as well as to create a new ecosystem business model under a “test and learn” practice. Fiori Group and Dow MobilityScience teams will provide timely updates on experimental results, collaborating transparently to create a valuable prototype for recycling EOL vehicle parts and materials.
“Our extensive capabilities in the reuse of metals and non-metal materials, and the sorting of different materials from end-of-life vehicles, have positioned us as a market leader for recycling in Italy,” said Mauro Grotto, vice president of Italmetalli, a Fiori Group company. “Our collaboration with Dow enables us to be ranked in the forefront of [those] seeking new solutions to reach European end-of-life vehicle recycling targets. It is in line with our guiding pillars of scientific research, restoring the value of waste, and communicating this value in an open and educational way," said Grotto.
End-of-life vehicle regulation.
A proposed regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and management of end-of-life vehicles set forth by the EU will accelerate utilization of recycled content in vehicles sold into the European market. The proposed regulation, to be introduced in 2030, focuses on several key elements to improve quality in design, collection, and recycling, while facilitating reporting obligations including:
Design circular. Enhancing circularity in the design and production of vehicles will help to ensure they can be easily dismantled. Car makers will need to provide clear, detailed instructions for dismantlers on how to replace and remove parts and components during a vehicle's use and end-of-life stage.
Use recycled content. 25% of the plastic used to build a new vehicle will be required to come from recycling, of which 25% must be recycled from end-of-life vehicles.
Treat better. The measures will lead to recovering more and better-quality raw materials, including plastics, of which 30% from end-of-life vehicles should be recycled.
Potentially lower quality base resins probably will require higher levels of impact modification to realize PP compounds that meet OEM performance standards.
Accelerating sustainable mobility.
“As two leaders committed to fostering a circular economy for polymers, plastics, and polyurethanes, collaborative innovation is key to accelerating sustainable mobility,” said Dr. Esther Quintanilla, Dow MobilityScience global marketing director. “By joining forces with Fiori Group, we are strengthening our commitment to a sustainable future for the automotive industry through our leading materials in this key growth segment and [Fiori's] expertise in expanding the recycled fraction from end-of-life vehicles.”
As part of its sustainability strategy, Dow is increasingly focused on sustainable solutions including new technology for mechanical and chemical recycling from different materials that are currently considered waste. The collaboration between Dow and Fiori Group will be an automotive and mobility recycling program featuring the Dow Renuva portfolio of recycled materials.
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