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Economic Viability of Extracting High Value Metals from End of Life Vehicles

Author

Listed:
  • Mona Arnold

    (VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT Espoo, Finland)

  • Elina Pohjalainen

    (VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT Espoo, Finland)

  • Sören Steger

    (Wuppertal Institut Für Klima, Umwelt, Energie GmbH, Doeppersberg 19, 42103 Wuppertal, Germany)

  • Wolfgang Kaerger

    (Wolfgang Kaerger Umweltberatung, Graf-Spee-Straße 30, 45133 Essen, Germany)

  • Jan-Henk Welink

    (The Department of Materials Science and Engineering, TU Delft, Mekelweg 2, 2628CD Delft, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Electronics containing growing quantities of high value and critical metals are increasingly used in automobiles. The conventional treatment practice for end-of-life vehicles (ELV) is shredding after de-pollution and partial separation of spare parts. Despite opportunities for resource recovery, the selective separation of components containing relevant amounts of critical metals for the purpose of material recycling is not commonly implemented. This article is aimed to contribute to recycling strategies for future critical metal quantities and the role of extended material recovery from ELVs. The study examines the economic feasibility of dismantling electronic components from ELVs for high value metal recycling. The results illustrate the effects of factors as dismantling time, labour costs and logistics on the economic potential of resource recovery from ELVs. Manual dismantling is profitable for only a few components at the higher labour costs in western/northern parts of Europe and applicable material prices, including the inverter for hybrid vehicles, oxygen sensor, side assistant sensor, distance and near distance sensors. Depending on the vehicle model, labour costs and current material prices, manual dismantling can also be cost-efficient for also some other such as the heating blower, generator, starter, engine and transmission control, start/stop motor, drive control, infotainment and chassis control.

Suggested Citation

  • Mona Arnold & Elina Pohjalainen & Sören Steger & Wolfgang Kaerger & Jan-Henk Welink, 2021. "Economic Viability of Extracting High Value Metals from End of Life Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1902-:d:496938
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andersson, Magnus & Ljunggren Söderman, Maria & Sandén, Björn A., 2019. "Challenges of recycling multiple scarce metals: The case of Swedish ELV and WEEE recycling," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Abel Ortego & Alicia Valero & Antonio Valero & Eliette Restrepo, 2018. "Vehicles and Critical Raw Materials: A Sustainability Assessment Using Thermodynamic Rarity," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(5), pages 1005-1015, October.
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    2. Hilal Shams & Altaf Hossain Molla & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman & Hawa Hishamuddin & Zambri Harun & Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar, 2023. "Exploring Industry-Specific Research Themes on E-Waste: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Hasani Mohd Ali & Vladimir Simic & Charli Sitinjak & Jady Zaidi Hassim & Muhamad Helmi Md Said & Rasyikah Md Khalid & Grace Emmanuel Kaka & Rozmi Ismail, 2023. "Exploring Public Perceptions and Disposal Procedures in the Development of a Comprehensive End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation in Malaysia: A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, March.

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