Beyond technical trade-offs: How the value chain impacts the deployment of mechanical and chemical recycling in the European automotive plastic sector

Abstract

Deploying diverse recycling technologies is essential for advancing the circular economy in the plastic sector. This study uses a qualitative approach, combining document analysis and 25 expert interviews, to explore recycling technology deployment in the European automotive plastic sector. Five key parameters – feedstock quality, input quantity, carbon footprint, economic performance, and output quality – are identified as critical for technology deployment, highlighting the trade-offs between different recycling methods. Linking these trade-offs to specific automotive value chain steps – manufacturing, collection and dismantling, shredding and post-shredding – shows the importance of considering value chain specificities. For example, improvements in dismantling automotive plastic components could create new opportunities for mechanical and solvent-based recycling as well as depolymerization but still yield insufficient volumes for pyrolysis and gasification. A deep understanding of value chain configurations and developments is necessary to optimize technology deployment and leverage their complementarities in response to societal and environmental needs.