Renewi and VDL bring recycled plastics to the automotive industry

Eindhoven, 28 August 2026 – Renewi and VDL Parree have developed a value chain cooperation. It recycles discarded hard plastics into raw material for truck components. This marks the first time that Renewi-produced recycled plastic has been used in an automotive component. The cooperation anticipates the proposed European End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation. This regulation aims to encourage the use of recycled materials in new vehicles.

From discarded plastic to truck component
The cooperation brings together various parties from the chain to reuse discarded plastics in the automotive industry. Renewi processes hard plastics from companies and municipalities into high-quality plastic granules. The Compound Company turns these into a plastic compound suitable for the intended application. VDL Parree in Sevenum produces and assembles high-quality plastic components. It then uses this material to manufacture truck components, such as cab parts. The components undergo extensive testing for quality, safety and performance.

While recycled plastics are often used in less demanding applications, this cooperation shows that Renewi’s recycled plastics can also meet the high quality requirements for vehicle components.

Jan-Pedro Vis, Materials Director at Renewi: “In this cooperation, end-of-life hard plastics are given a new purpose in truck components that must meet strict quality requirements. This is only possible when every party in the chain contributes its knowledge and expertise. This is an important milestone for Renewi, as our circular plastics are being used in the automotive sector for the first time.”

Pieter Melisse, director at VDL Parree: "Circularity requires more than just a good raw material. Production processes, quality checks and cooperation throughout the chain must also be designed accordingly. Together, we are showing that recycled plastics can also be suitable for technically demanding components. This offers prospects for further scaling up.”

Example for future applications
The cooperation anticipates the proposed new European End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation. This regulation aims to encourage the use of recycled materials in vehicles. Although the legislation is still being developed, Renewi, VDL and their supply-chain partners show that circular materials can already be used in vehicle components. The knowledge and experience gained through this cooperation can support the wider use of recycled materials in Europe’s automotive industry.