Luxury-car maker Mercedes-Benz has opened its own closed-loop battery recycling plant in Germany, the company announced Oct. 21. It claimed that the newly opened battery recycling facility is not only the first in Europe but also makes Mercedes-Benz the first carmaker globally to close the battery recycling loop with its own in-house facility. The new battery recycling plant, which features an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process, is located in Kuppenheim, southern Germany. With t...

At the 2024 AAPEX and SEMA Show in Las Vegas, ZF Aftermarket has announced that it is set to showcase its array of solutions catering to internal combustion, fully electric and semi-automated vehicles, according to a press release dated Oct. 22. The focus at the company's AAPEX booth will be on the expansion of its TRW braking portfolio, notably introducing ZF Brake Hoses. This addition is part of the TRW brand, planning to unveil over 500 brake hose part numbers by year-end in the US and Can...

ATC Drivetrain, a US-based remanufacturing solutions provider, announced via a press release on Oct. 9 the creation of ATC Brasil LTDA. This new venture marks ATC's expansion into the South American market and aims to meet the rising demand for sustainable and affordable automotive solutions in Brazil. Initially, ATC Brasil LTDA will specialize in remanufacturing diesel particulate filters (DPF) for commercial trucks, targeting the local needs for environmental and cost-efficiency. �...

Dana Inc. announced the launch of a new certified remanufacturing program aimed at extending the life cycles of Dana Spicer Off-Highway drivetrain components, according to a press release dated Sept. 24. The Dana Certified Reman program, already operational across Europe, plans to expand to 50 additional locations spread across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and China by the end of 2025. In a statement, Roberto Marino, aftermarket commercial director for Global Off-Highway and...

Battery recycling startup Redwood Materials has announced a partnership with BMW of North America to recycle lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries from electrified vehicles across the BMW Group, which encompasses brands such as BMW, MINI, Rolls Royce and BMW Motorrad, according to a press release dated Sept. 19. This collaboration will leverage BMW Group's network of over 700 locations, including dealerships and distribution centers, to facilitate the recovery of end-of-life batteries. Redwood ...

In a recent interview released by Rematec, a leading platform for the remanufacturing industry, Edward Xu, the company's dedicated sales agent in China, shared his insights into the current trends and future prospects of the Chinese remanufacturing market, according to a report by Aftermarket Intel dated Aug. 22. Xu predicted significant growth in the market, expecting it to triple in size by 2030, attributing this surge to government support and a rising awareness of environmental issues. Ac...

California has launched its Vehicle Safety Systems Inspections Program as a result of AB 471, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021, which mandated the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to establish and commence the inspection program by Jan. 1 of the current year, according to a release by CAWA, a US-based association representing the automotive parts industry. Following the law's passage, BAR engaged with the collision repair industry through multiple public workshops to gather input...

Stellantis, a global original equipment manufacturer, has announced that it is expanding its SUSTAINera product portfolio in Brazil and also introducing a range of remanufactured parts in the country. The company previously offered five product lines, which included turbochargers, steering racks, automatic gearboxes, starters and alternators. It has now expanded this to include air conditioning compressors, rear differentials and transfer cases. These will also be available at Stellantis dealers...

The remanufacturing industry, including the automotive sector, has seen remarkable growth due to technological innovations and a strong emphasis on sustainability. Remanufacturing offers a way to decrease waste, conserve resources and enhance cost-efficiency while transitioning toward a circular economy. Denso, a supplier of original equipment (OE) sensors to vehicle manufacturers worldwide, said this approach aligns with its commitment to deliver high-quality products throug...

The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, announced that it hosted the Remanufacturing Roadshow & Annual Conference on June 25–26, bringing together industry leaders and professionals in the field of remanufacturing, according to a press release dated July 9. The event provided a platform for attendees to explore facilities at Circuit Board Medics, Standard Motor P...

US-based automotive aftermarket supplier and remanufacturer BBB Industries has announced its plans to acquire All Star Auto Parts, according to a press release dated July 18. This acquisition, set to be finalized in the third quarter of 2024, aims to enhance BBB Industries' offerings in the electronics sector. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the strategic move is driven by an ambition to extend BBB's sustainable manufacturing capabilities and diversify its product and s...

Valeo has outlined an initiative to retrofit internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles into electric vehicles, saying that it presents a significant solution for extending vehicle lifespans and fostering the global shift toward electric mobility, according to a press release dated July 1. The process involves replacing the traditional petrol or diesel engine and fuel tank with an electric motor and battery, thereby transforming the vehicle into an electric one. This effort is part of Valeo's&...

In a press release dated June 3, Fortum announced that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Marubeni Corp. to develop a sustainable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery recycling chain with a focus on graphite recycling. Marubeni will assist Fortum by supplying in-process waste materials and processing chemicals, and exploring potential graphite and lithium recycling technologies. This partnership aims to create a recycling value chain to meet market demand, while also in...

French automotive supplier Valeo announced that it has partnered with Smovengo, the operator of Vélib' Métropole, a significant public bicycle-sharing system in Paris and 64 other communes, to remanufacture the motors and batteries of 8,000 electric Vélib' bikes in Greater Paris, according to a press release dated May 23. Valeo said it brings varied solutions for smaller mobility devices such as bikes, scooters and electric rickshaws, and has been involved in the e-bike sector, supplying V...

Axalta Coating Systems, a global coatings company, has announced a partnership with Solera, a US-based company involved in vehicle lifecycle management software-as-a-service, according to a press release dated May 21. With this collaboration, Axalta's conventional and "fast cure low energy" refinish paint systems will be incorporated into Solera's Sustainable Estimatics platform. This will enable Axalta customers to calculate their CO2 emissions per repair, considering factors such as re...

Borg Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, announced that it has added a popular AC compressor for Dacia vehicles to its range, according to a press release dated May 17. The product adds eight vehicle applications to an already extensive lineup, the release added. According to the company, until now, workshops and dealers looking for an alternative to the standard compressor for the Dacia Sandero and Sandero Stepway (1.0 TCe from model year 2021) had a very limited cho...

Denso Corp. and other partners have been chosen by an industry-government-academia collaborative project aiming to expand the recycle content for automobiles in the fiscal year 2023, supported by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, according to a press release dated April 16. The project, titled "Demonstration of Manufacturing-and-Recycling Integrated Process for Horizontal Cycle* Enabled by Automated Sophisticated Dismantling of ELVs, (end-of-life vehicles)" has begun in early March and is ...

Valeo has reiterated that it offers remanufactured clutches for a wide range of truck models, from Mercedes to Scania to Iveco, with an aim to provide commercial vehicle owners with a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative to purchasing new parts, according to a press release dated March 6. The company also offers a two-year warranty on unlimited mileage (same as Valeo’s new clutches). “Valeo is doing its utmost to ensure that the future is a bright one and believes remanufactu...

Valeo, a French automotive supplier, has introduced a core deposit scheme for Reman CV Clutch Kits in Europe, effective from Jan. 1, according to a press release dated Jan. 14. The scheme aims to recover as many clutch kit cores from the market to fuel Valeo's remanufacturing production lines, contributing to the circular economy and decarbonization of the transport sector. The scheme is part of Valeo's wider goal of accelerating the circular economy and consuming as few new raw materials as pos...

US automaker Ford's engineers in Cologne, Germany, have launched an innovative research project to explore how food waste could be repurposed to create auto-part prototypes. They found the prototypes to be durable and believe that research such as this could enable lighter-weight parts that reduce the amount of plastic used in vehicle parts, reduce the carbon footprint of auto parts, and bring the company closer to its goal of using more recycled and renewable content in its vehicles, accor...

US-based automotive aftermarket supplier Transtar Industries has announced the launch of its newest brand, Transmaxx. Through this brand, it aims to introduce remanufactured solutions to the market for end customers, according to a press release dated Jan. 3. The company has partnered with ETE Reman to launch three remanufactured transmission electro-hydraulic control modules (TEHCMs), which are designed specfically for General Motors' 6-speed transmission applications. Ac...

VinFast, an electric vehicle manufacturer in Vietnam, and Marubeni Corp. (Marubeni), a Japanese trading and investment conglomerate, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities in the secondary use of EV batteries and establish a circular economy model, according to a press release dated Dec. 18. The MOU was signed in Tokyo with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam and globally. Under the MOU, VinFast and Marubeni will collaborate on researching...

Continental, a German tire manufacturer, has embarked on a sustainable initiative to recycle carbon black from end-of-life racing tires and integrate the recovered materials into its tire production, according to a press release dated Dec. 11. The company has partnered with Pyrum Innovations to develop a pyrolysis process that enables the recovery of industrial carbon black, oil and gas from end-of-life tires. By using these recycled materials, Continental aims to reduce its reliance on virgin r...

Altilium, a UK-based clean technology group focused on supporting the transition to net zero, and Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), a educational institution in Chile, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster a strategic partnership focusing on the advancement of electric vehicle battery recycling technologies, according to a press release dated Dec. 12. The MOU reflects the shared commitment of both entities to leverage their expertise and resources in...

TotalEnergies Lubrifiants has announced that it is expanding its use of recycled polyethylene in the production of premium-range lubricant bottles, following a successful pilot project launched in 2021, according to a press release dated Nov. 20. The company aims to incorporate 50% post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in all bottles produced in France and Belgium, starting from September 2023. The new grade, developed by TotalEnergies, combines carefully selected recycled p...

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Redwood Materials have expanded their recycling agreement to create a closed-loop battery ecosystem, according to a press release dated Nov. 16. The agreement aims to recycle and reuse batteries from Toyota's electrified vehicles, with the goal of creating a sustainable and circular supply chain. Toyota will source cathode active material (CAM) and anode copper foil from Redwood's recycling activities for its future battery production. The agreement builds o...

Rematec, an Amsterdam-based trade brand dedicated to automotive remanufacturing worldwide, has announced that according to an analysis, the global remanufactured automotive parts market is expected to increase by $11 billion by 2027, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.93%, according to a press release dated September 20. The trade brand quoted a report that observed that the average age of cars, particularly in North America and Europe, is a major driver of remanufactured parts indu...

Italian carmaker Stellantis has announced that it will extend its B-parts Reuse e-commerce business channel to North America by the end of 2023, according to a press release dated August 16. The news was shared by Alison Jones, senior vice president of Global Circular Economy, Stellantis, during the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Sustainability Summit earlier in August in Troy, Mich. The company currently offers the Reuse e-commerce business in Europe, where it registe...

Japan-based Sumitomo Rubber Industries has announced a collaboration with Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Industries to further the development of recycling technologies, according to a press release dated August 3. Sumitomo Rubber, along with Sumitomo Electric, said it will take part in Sumitomo Riko’s joint development agreement announced in November 2022 with LanzaTech Global, a US-based carbon-recycling firm known for its expertise in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) te...

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Aftermarket Suppliers, an association in North America representing motor-vehicle component manufacturers, has announced that The 2023 Remanufacturing Annual Conference will take place from October 11–12, at the Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) Headquarters in Atlanta, according to a press release dated August 14. Hosted by MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, the 2023 conference will bring together the remanufacturing community for two days of insightfu...

Altilium Metals, a UK-based green technology group focused on supporting the transition to net zero, has announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese trading and investment group, to work together to explore opportunities to jointly develop EV battery recycling businesses in the UK and Europe, according to a press release dated 6 July. The MOU will include the joint development of a UK supply chain of end-of-life lithium-ion ba...

French automotive supplier Valeo has outlined its circularity goals as it took part in the remanufacturing trade show Rematec Amsterdam from June 27 to 29, according to a press release dated June 22. Valeo said it has set a 4Rs framework: Robustify, Repair, Remanufacture and Recycle, a sustainability strategy that encompasses original equipment as well as aftermarket activities. Valeo Service, Valeo’s entity dedicated to aftermarket activities, has created a strategy that aims to progressiv...

Borg Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, announced that in the first quarter of 2023, the company expanded its product range by 116 part numbers, according to a press release dated June 21. The new part numbers include 32 brake calipers, 22 alternators, 22 A/C compressors, 18 starters, 10 steering racks, eight turbochargers, three exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves and one steering pump across the company’s Elstock, DRI, TMI and Lucas brands. The company said it...

Audi Hungaria announced that it has partnered with a company called New Energy to chemically recycle tire waste generated at the site of the company in Győr, Hungary, thereby avoiding the release of microplastics and hazardous substances into the environment during recovery, the company said in a release dated June 15. The process used for this is pyrolysis, where tire waste is chemically converted into oil.   The oil produced is used by petrochemical companies to make new plastics...

US-based reconditioning software company Rapid Recon has announced the release of a new study that looked at electric vehicles and the challenges the technology has brought to auto dealerships hoping to profit from reconditioning used EVs for resale, according to a press release dated June 19. The complete study, which is available on the company’s website, revealed that the field of EV reconditioning was sparsely explored. Aside from the physical aspects of recondi...

Stellantis and metals recycler Galloo announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the formation of a joint venture focused on End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) recycling, according to a press release dated June 5. The Stellantis-Galloo JV will work with selected Authorized Treatment Facilities to collect ELVs from the last owner, enabling the recovering of parts for reuse, remanufacturing and recycling. The service is expected to launch at the end of 2023 w...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, announced that it is set to showcase its comprehensive range of remanufactured products at the upcoming Rematec Amsterdam show in June, according to a press release dated May 9. The BORG Automotive Group consists of the distribution companies BORG Automotive Reman, Car Parts Industries (CPI) and SBS Automotive. BORG Automotive Reman delivers to the Independent Aftermarket, and CPI delivers to the original eq...

Charles Trent Ltd. (Charles Trent), a UK-based vehicle dismantler and largest used-parts seller on eBay, said demand is rising for secondhand car parts. They currently recycle more than 30,000 vehicles a year, processing 250,000 car parts which are sold worldwide, as reported on the BBC news website May 5. EBay said used car-part sales grew by 10% in 2022. Laura Richards, eBay's Vehicle Parts lead, said, "There is a shortage of parts in the market due to supply chain issues with Bre...

Stellantis will present their 4R strategy — reman, repair, reuse and recycle at the forthcoming Rematec Amsterdam event June 27–29, as stated on the Rematech event website on May 1. Stellantis has developed a comprehensive, 360-degree business based on the 4R strategy: reman, repair, reuse and recycle. It is an integrated ecosystem that is vital to preserving and protecting the planet’s resources. Reman — Used, worn or defective parts are thoroughly dismant...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, announced that it has produced and posted two new installation videos that describe what is important when assembling exhaust gas recirculation valves and turbochargers, according to a press release dated March 23. Through the videos, BORG Automotive advises workshops in an easily understandable way about things to pay particular attention to when installing a turbocharger and EGR valve. In addition, workshop employees lea...

Japan-based DENSO Corporation announced that it will continue to develop its remanufacturing program, both in terms of range and customer base. Part of its remanufacturing program strategy is to reuse its existing components that have reached the end of their normal service life and rebuild them into premium quality units to be reintroduced into the supply chain, according to a press release dated February 27. The company said environmental sustainability is one of its mai...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, announced that it is carrying out life cycle assessments for all its product groups in an effort to make its sustainable solutions for the automotive industry visible, according to a press release dated February 21. As part of the assessments, the company will be documenting and verifying the difference between using remanufactured parts over new ones. The company is showcasing the environmental benefits of using its reman...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, announced that it was among the hosts of this year’s Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) Europe Symposium, according to a press release dated March 20. As part of the mid-March networking event for the remanufacturing industry in Pamplona, Spain, participants visited BORG Automotive’s Spanish production facility. The European organization of APRA is an important representation of European...

Cirba Solutions, a cross-chemistry battery management and materials processor for end-of-life (EOL) batteries, announced that it had appointed Troy Thennis as its senior vice president of Growth projects and technology, according to a press release dated 21 February.  Thennis has over 30 years of expertise in the chemical industry with a focus on lithium processing, and will lead the organization’s build-out of its expanding processing footprint including technology developme...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, has announced the launch of a customer portal that enables registered aftermarket customers to find up-to-date information on their orders, invoices, credits, pickup requests according to a press release dated 20 January. The company observed that as in many other industries, customers in the automotive aftermarket are also increasingly asking for online services from their suppliers. The launch of the customer portal, which fe...

South Korean energy group SK Innovation Co Ltd has announced that the company and SungEel HiTech, a South Korea-based lithium-ion battery recycling solution provider, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a joint venture for battery metal recycling, according to a press release dated 13 December. The collaboration will involve recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and other cathode materials from used batteries. The two companies plan to establish a domestic jo...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, has outlined its range of remanufactured air-conditioning compressors from the Elstock, DRI, Lucas, and TMI brands, according to a press release dated 8 December. The company said the compressors are available “at an excellent price/performance ratio and in a quality that is on a par with original parts”. The company believes air conditioning system malfunctions are often noticed in the spring and summer and has therefore u...

US-based automotive recycle and reseller company, Fenix Parent LLC, operating as Fenix Parts, announced that the company has completed the acquisition of Reno Auto Parts, according to a press release by Business Wire dated 4 October. Bill Stevens, CEO, Fenix Parts, commented on the move, “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Reno and are excited about the addition of its experienced and talented team to the Fenix family. This acquisition expands our distribution footprint...

TotalEnergies has announced the construction of a new production line of high-performance recycled polypropylene for automotive in its polymer plant in Carling, France, according to a press release on 25 November 2022. The Carling – Saint-Avold petrochemical platform has been manufacturing compounds with added value for the automotive industry since 2016. The launch of a new line dedicated to hybrid compounds will strengthen the platform's position as Europe's premier polymers site. ...

India headquartered Apollo Tyres has announced that it has partnered with Tyromer Inc, a firm involved in nonchemical devulcanization of end-of-life tires, according to a press release dated 23 November. Under the partnership, Tyromer, through their Indian associate, Tyromer India, will supply recycled rubber material or tire-derived polymer (TDP), produced using its environmentally sustainable processes, to Apollo Tyres as the raw material. According to P K Mohamed, chief advisor, R&D, A...

Turbo Tec Remanufacturing, a Poland-based company specializing in diesel injection systems and turbochargers reconditioning, has announced that it has established its first joint venture factory in mainland China called Turbo Auto Parts Remanufacturing (Hebei) Co, located in Hejian City, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, according to a press release dated 1 December. The company said the aim of the venture is to launch an independent plant, which will largely meet the demand of the Chinese marke...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, has announced that it has added 113 part numbers to its range of starters and alternators this year, bringing Europe-wide market coverage in both product groups to approximately 95%, according to a press release dated 10 November. The remanufacturer has added 68 alternators and 45 starters to its range, offering them to distributors with immediate effect under the Elstock, DRI, TMI, and Lucas brands. The company says this has e...

British specialty chemicals company Johnson Matthey has commenced fuel-cell recycling operations in China at its Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu-based recycling facility, it said on 6 October 2022. Johnson Matthey said that its China-based recycling unit is refining and recycling the platinum group metal (PGM) content from membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), which is a key component of an automotive fuel cell, from Unilia, one of the world’s leading providers of fuel-cell stack technology. While&...

Toronto-based lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery recycling company Li-Cycle Corporation announced on 13 October 2022 that it has commenced the recycling operations at its spoke facility located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, US. According to the company, the Alabama Spoke is strategically located to support the recycling needs of the Li-Cycle’s growing battery supply customer base in the southeastern US region. “The development of the EV supply chain in the region continues to accelerate as battery an...

With operations throughout Europe, the United States, and Southern Africa, Ecobat is a leader in the collection, recycling, production, and distribution of energy storage solutions. In a press release dated 3 October, Ecobat Battery European Marketing Manager, Thom Poole, said “The lithium battery, which is generally the battery of choice for vehicle manufacturers (VM) globally, is an incredibly effective power storage solution. It is virtually maintenance-free, is lighter than a traditio...

Canada-based Lithion Recycling and US automaker General Motors have announced that GM Ventures, the automaker's investment arm, has made a strategic investment in Lithion's Series A financing round, supporting a new GM-Lithion strategic partnership agreement to pursue a circular battery ecosystem using Lithion's advanced battery recycling technology, according to a press release dated 22 September. This collaboration between GM and Lithion will focus on: validation of Lithion's recovered batt...

TES and Strides Mobility have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on lithium-ion battery recycling, energy storage initiatives, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure expansion in Singapore, according to a press release dated 17 September. Terence Ng, executive chairman of TES, said, "This is a great day for all Singaporeans who care about e-mobility. It is our privilege to work closely with Strides Frontier as it begins to take significant steps on its journe...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, has announced that it is adding 12 part numbers to its range of electric brake calipers, according to a press release dated 27 July. The Danish remanufacturer, representing the brands DRI, TMI, Lucas and Elstock, claims it is one of the first aftermarket suppliers with this release and offers distributors a replacement part on par with original parts for more than 800,000 Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Opel and Toyota vehicles registe...

Hella Pagid, the joint venture (JV) between automotive parts suppliers TMD Friction and aftermarket electronics firm and spare parts distributor HELLA, announced that it is further extending its brake caliper range, according to a press release dated 29 August. The JV has expanded the range of core-free brake calipers for the independent aftermarket by 110 to 222 calipers for a wide variety of vehicle manufacturers, increasing the coverage of vehicle applications from about 4,400 to almost 8,200...

Genstar Capital, a US-based private equity firm announced that it has completed the sale of BBB Industries, a manufacturer of automotive, industrial, energy storage, and solar parts, to Clearlake Capital Group, via a press release dated 28 July.  In 2018, Genstar acquired BBB and in partnership with management sought to expand its ESG impact from sustainable manufacturing processes solely in the automotive aftermarket into new segments to support renewable energy. Notably, the company...

Solera, a US based company involved in vehicle lifecycle management software-as-a-service, data, and services has launched new, intuitive color wiring features to its Identifix Direct-Hit-branded auto repair software, according to a press release dated 13 July. The update brings an easier and more convenient experience to the technician-built vehicle repair database with more than 3 million confirmed fixes, the release added. Direct-Hit subscribers can now view multiple wiring diagrams side-b...

UK-based remanufacturer and fuel systems supplier, Carwood, announced that the company will demonstrate how it is helping distributors and garages service current and future vehicles by showcasing a range of OE-quality, eco- and cost-friendly products at this year’s Automechanika Frankfurt, which will be held between 13–17 September 2022, according to a press release dated 29 June. A full range of its remanufactured fuel pumps and injectors covering all makes and models of vehicle, includ...

Toyota Motor North America has announced that it will collaborate with battery recycling startup Redwood Materials to explore a series of end-of-life battery solutions for Toyota's proposed battery ecosystem, according to a press release dated 21 June. Initially, this collaboration will focus on the collection, testing, and recycling of Toyota hybrid electric vehicle batteries. The companies will then look to expand into other areas such as battery health screening and data management, remanufac...

Global automotive supplier of electric mobility and powertrain components Vitesco Technologies announced that it is looking into the so-called Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) with an aim of optimizing the ecological footprint of its products, according to a press release dated 21 June.  LCE means that when designing and developing a product, the ecological footprint of the entire value chain is taken into account – from the extraction of raw materials for supplied parts, through their pro...

German chemical company BASF has announced that it will build a commercial scale battery recycling black mass plant in Schwarzheide, Germany, according to a press release dated 20 June. This investment is said to strengthen BASF’s cathode active materials (CAM) production and recycling hub in Schwarzheide. The site is an ideal location for the build-up of battery recycling activities given the presence of many EV car manufacturers and cell producers in Central Europe. This investment will crea...

US-based automotive aftermarket supplier and remanufacturer BBB Industries has announced that it is simplifying the way its customers diagnose and repair their vehicles with its new customer service technology, TechEyeQ, according to a press release dated 10 May. Using TechEyeQ, customers can have real-time, live interaction with BBB’s technical services team to identify and resolve their problem quickly and effectively, the company said. Significance: “TechEyeQ is a gamechanger. It is...

German automaker BMW announced via press release on 25 May that its Chinese joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) had for the first time established a closed loop for the application of nickel, lithium, and cobalt, recovered from unsuitable batteries, in new electric vehicles (EVs). According to the press release, BBA worked with a local recycler Zhejiang Huayou Recycling Technology to recover the raw materials from batteries belonging to its fully and partially electric development v...

US-based automotive aftermarket supplier and remanufacturer BBB Industries has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Clearlake Capital Group with continued investment by Genstar Capital and BBB’s management team, according to a press release dated 19 May. Upon closing the transaction, Clearlake will become majority shareholders of BBB; financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the release added. The transaction is expected to close later th...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, has enhanced focus on its range of remanufactured A/C compressors for electric cars, according to a press release dated 29 April, which claims that the company is the only supplier in the aftermarket for several of them. BORG says it is one of the few remanufacturers in the world capable of remanufacturing electric A/C compressors. According to the release, the company recognized early on that e-mobility had become a future req...

UK-based remanufacturer and fuel systems supplier, Carwood, announced that it is expanding its service offering with Bosch distribution for the UK and Ireland, according to a press release dated 9 May. From this month, Carwood will supply a full programme of Bosch fuel pumps, injectors and spare parts for diesel and petrol vehicles. The extended range, which includes new, ‘Bosch eXchange’ and repair components, is said to add to Carwood’s existing line-up of authorised solutions, diagnosti...

Bridgestone via press release on 13 April has announced a partnership with LanzaTech to codevelop the first dedicated end-of-life tire recycling process and create an outline toward decarbonization of new tire production. According to the Tire Industry Project operating under the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), more than one billion tires globally reach the end of their useful service life each year. Paolo Ferrari, president and CEO, Bridgestone Americas, s...

Chinese tire manufacturer Linglong Tire announced via press release on 15 April that it has signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement for waste tire recycling and reuse with Cleantire, which is a technology company integrating research and development (R&D), design, production, and the sales of renewable resources. With the deepening of the concept of environmental protection, recycling, and disposing of waste tires has become a hot topic in the industry, the release sai...

US-based automotive aftermarket supplier and remanufacturer BBB Industries has expanded its presence in Europe with the acquisition of Budweg Caliper, a Denmark-based supplier of remanufactured brake calipers for the European automotive aftermarket, covering more than 98% of the European car parc, according to a press release dated 31 March. Through its facility in Denmark, Budweg serves Central and Eastern Europe, France, Scandinavia, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. This is BBB’s sixth ac...

US-based automotive aftermarket supplier and remanufacturer BBB Industries has launched 14 SKUs to its Remy brand of starters and alternators covering over 3.9 million vehicles, according to a press release dated 12 April. BBB Industries is involved in the sustainable manufacturing of starters, alternators, hydraulic and air disc brake calipers, hydraulic and electronic power steering products, and turbochargers for the OEM, passenger, industrial, and commercial vehicle aftermarket indus...

ZF Aftermarket, the aftermarket arm of German automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen, has reiterated its commitment to remanufacturing in recognition of Global Remanufacturing Day, according to a press release dated 14 April. The company said that remanufacturing has enabled the Group to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and save energy every year: In 2020 for example, it reduced its global CO2 emissions by an estimated 12,444 tons and realized an estimated energy savin...

ATC Drivetrain, a US-based remanufacturing solutions provider, announced via a press release on 12 April that it has acquired Treharne Automotive Engineering, a UK-based company focused on electric vehicle (EV) battery life cycle management, including second-life applications, recycling, and diagnostic and test equipment for powertrain systems. As the automotive industry continues to migrate beyond traditional internal combustion engines to electrified systems, ATC believes it is important to...

ATC Drivetrain, a US-based remanufacturer of automotive powertrain and drivetrain systems, announced via a press release dated 5 April that it has launched remanufacturing capabilities for electrified vehicle systems at its Oklahoma City, Okla, facility will serve the North American automotive market. The investment allows ATC to remanufacture batteries and electric drive units for hybrid and battery electric vehicles, according to the release, which added that the move represents the ne...

Continental has launched volume production tires made from recycled polyester yarn obtained from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, according to a press release published by Continental on 5 April. The new material initially will be available in selected sizes for Continental’s PremiumContact 6 and EcoContact 6 summer tires and the AllSeasonContact tire. These tires are produced with a special logo ‘Contains Recycled Material’ on the sidewall to depict ContiRe.Tex technol...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, has revealed that to continue to meet the higher demand under and after pandemic conditions, it has decided on far-reaching measures, and is gradually putting them into practice, according to a press release dated 11 March. As part of the measures, the company will keep a high inventory of used parts, known as "cores”. Currently, the company keeps more than 1 million original cores suitable for remanufacturing in stock on a...

ATC Drivetrain, a US-based remanufacturer of automotive powertrain and drivetrain systems, announced via a press release on 22 March that the company will establish manufacturing facility in Knoxville. This investment will create 218 new manufacturing jobs in Knox County over the next five years. This is the latest of several new investments ATC Drivetrain has made recently, including the implementation of new technologies and capabilities in the global battery and electric vehicle (EV) power...

German parts manufacturer Continental announced via press release on 14 March that it has signed a development agreement with Pyrum Innovations, a recycling technology company based in Germany, Luxembourg, and France, to further optimize and expand the recycling of end-of-life tires through pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the industrial process of breaking down large molecules of tire into smaller molecules of oil, gas, and carbon black. Recovered carbon black (rCB) produced in tire pyrolysis is an envi...

BORG Automotive, a Denmark-based automotive parts remanufacturer, has revealed that it has expanded its product range by nearly 100 new articles, according to a press release dated 3 March. The company has also added several new spare parts to its catalog under its Elstock brand, with which it currently supplies to the aftermarket. BORG’s range includes an electronic steering gear for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) of the Volkswagen Group as well as brake calipers for the Hyundai Ioniq. The ...

Mercedes-Benz rolls out its global strategy for recycling automotive battery systems, firmly establishing the principle of sustainability as an integral part of its corporate strategy, according to a press release dated 11 March. It is expanding its global battery recycling strategy with a view to the future return of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems from Mercedes-EQ vehicles.  The company is starting to build its own battery recycling plant in Germany, based on hydrom...

US-based Repairify Inc, the parent company of vehicle diagnostic solutions firm asTech announced that it has acquired AutoMobile Technologies (AMT), a leading provider of enterprise-grade used vehicle reconditioning software, according to a press release dated 22 February. AMT’s technology is claimed to help automotive reconditioning providers replace paperwork, enforce processes, and gain visibility into business operations, according to the release. By leveraging the combined capabilities...

Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone Corporation announced via press release on 18 February that the company, along with Japanese oil and metals company ENEOS Corporation is launching a joint R&D project focused on producing tire raw materials from used tires. Through this project, Bridgestone and ENEOS aim to develop a recycling business that will convert used tires to raw materials. The joint project will work to develop chemical recycling technologies for used tires by merging the ad...

Battery recycling startup Redwood Materials announced on 17 February 2022 that it has teamed up with Ford Motor Company and Volvo Cars as it launched its EV battery recycling program, beginning in California, US. The startup aims to establish efficient, safe, and effective recovery pathways for the end-of-life hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) battery packs, it said. “Ford Motor Company and Volvo Cars are the first automakers to directly support the program, but we will accept all lithium-io...

US-based automotive aftermarket parts retailer, Advance Auto Parts, announced that its DieHard brand is the world’s first automotive battery to receive circular economy validation as validated by UL (United Laboratories), according to a press release dated 14 February. The validation applies to DieHard’s line of Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries manufactured by Clarios, a global supplier of advanced battery technologies and energy storage solutions. DieHard batteries are claimed to be r...

German carmaker Porsche announced that it is running a pilot project in the aftersales department as part of its sustainability initiative, according to a press release dated 6 February. The initiative involves recycling of used traction batteries from electric vehicles (EVs) for use as energy stores as part of a second life concept. “In this way, resources can be conserved and sustainability enhanced,” according to the release. The company says it is focusing on the environmental effects...

US-based supplier of commercial vehicle braking and safety systems, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, has announced that its remanufactured BA-921 compressors for Detroit Diesel 2007 EPA and 2010 EPA DD13 and DD15 engines are now available for sale in the commercial vehicle aftermarket, according to a press release dated 24 January. Along with greater access to this key component, authorized Bendix dealers and distributors will have the advantage of being able to consolidate purchases and ex...

NSK Americas has acquired the reconditioning business operated by Alliance Bearing Repair and Reclaim, effective 23 December, according to a press release dated 6 January. Alliance was founded in 2005 in Ohio, USA, and is engaged in reconditioning (remanufacture, repair, and refurbishment) of bearings for the steel, pulp and paper, energy, and mining industries. By combining Alliance under its fold, NSK Group aims to drive customer engagement through expanded post-sale maintenance and repair ...

The BlackCycle consortium announced via press release on 22 November the world’s first production of carbon black on a conventional carbon black furnace reactor using oils derived from an end-of-life tire pyrolysis process. According to the press release, the novel production of sustainable carbon blacks (sCB), involving the use of material from end-of-life tires to create new tire rubber, introduces circularity in the tire manufacturing value chain. According to the consortium, the...

Japanese trading house ITOCHU Corporation announced that it has acquired UK-based tire recycler Murfitts Group, according to a press release dated 20 December. The acquisition, made through the ITOCHU subsidiary, European Tyre Enterprise Limited (ETEL) a tire wholesaler and retailer with extensive presence in the UK. Significance: Murfitts collects and processes the equivalent of around 20 million post-consumer car tires in the UK each year, according to the release. Using the recovered mater...

Japanese carmaker Toyota has announced that it is launching a new service, known as Kinto Factory, in Japan under which customers can customize and update the hardware and software in their existing vehicles, according to a press release dated 21 December. The company said this move has been prompted by the trend involving customers increasingly holding on to their cars for longer. There are three types of update packages available. The Upgrade package is an enhancement of basic vehicle speci...

US-based remanufacturing company GB Remanufacturing has announced the launch of an updated mobile-friendly version of its electronic parts catalog, according to a press release dated 4 January. The catalog is powered by ShowMeTheParts, an aftermarket catalog management service. Significance: Founded in 1986 and located in Long Beach, CA, GB Remanufacturing remanufactures gasoline and diesel fuel injectors, diesel pumps, and diesel electronic components. With vehicle and part number search ...

The daily Nikkei on 16 December reported that Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co Ltd plans to build new battery recycling factories in the United States and Europe by the end of fiscal 2025. According to the news article, the automaker hopes that recycling batteries and reusing them in electric vehicles (EVs) will help the company lower its total production costs as the price of rare metals start of rise with increasing demand. According to Nissan, the factories will be the company’...

French vehicle manufacturer Renault Group has launched a ‘Refactory Project’ at its Seville plant in Spain in the presence of Juan Manuel Moreno, president of the Andalusia region, the company said in a statement on 5 November. The company said that the ‘Refactory Project’ is an extension of a similar program implemented at Flins (Yvelines, France), which remains the company’s circular economy strategic hub for Europe. “This new Refactory will bring together circular economy activ...

UK aftermarket parts supplier Brake Engineering announced that it has introduced 82 new brake calipers since the start of 2021, to mark it’s 40th anniversary in the automotive aftermarket, according to a release from the UK aftermarket industry body, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). The extension of Brake Engineering’s range features 20 painted calipers covering SEAT Leon, Leon Hatchback Van, Leon SC, Leon ST, and Leon ST Estate Van; ŠKODA Octavia IV; Peugeot 50...

Ford is partnering with battery-recycling and remanufacturing start-up Redwood Materials to recover raw materials from Ford’s battery packs and reuse them in future battery production, the companies said in a press release on 22 September. Redwood’s recycling technology can recover over 95% of the elements like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper, which can be reused in a closed-loop to produce anode copper foil and cathode active materials for future battery production. For Ford, using l...

ATC Drivetrain, a US-based remanufacturing solutions provider, announced via a press release on 4 June that it is launching remanufacturing capabilities for electric vehicle (EV) systems at its Oklahoma city facility to serve the North American automotive market and at its Zhangjiang, China facility to serve the Asian automotive market. According to the release, these investments will allow ATC to remanufacture batteries and electric drive units for both plug-in hybrid and battery electric ve...