‘The future of automotive recycling: growing demand & new opportunities’

ICM: Please give us an overview of the REON GROUP’s recycling activities

Peter Hodecek: REON GROUP is the umbrella brand of Scholz Austria GmbH and comprises a total of seven subsidiaries and 16 locations in Austria and neighboring countries. REON GROUP is one of the most important suppliers of the Austrian metal industry with raw materials from recycling, especially iron, aluminum and copper scrap. In addition, the REON GROUP operates two of the six large shredders available in Austria for the recycling of end-of-life vehicles. 

ICM: How important is automotive recycling for the Group? How do you see it developing?

Peter Hodecek: The recovery and recycling of end-of-life vehicles is an essential part of the REON GROUP’s business activities. End-of-life vehicles are valuable sources of secondary raw materials. The availability of some of these raw materials used in car manufacturing is of strategic importance for the European Union. As a result, the demand for secondary raw materials from the recycling of end-of-life vehicles will rise sharply in the future.

ICM: You are sponsoring the International Automotive Recycling Congress in Antwerp in March this year. Can you tell us why it was important for you to take part in this congress?

Peter Hodecek: REON GROUP and Scholz Austria have been following the International Automotive Recycling Congress with great interest for many years and have also participated in it for many years. The IARC not only enables us to exchange ideas with experts, but also to actively take part in the development and shaping of the future recycling of end-of-life vehicles, as different framework conditions prevail in different markets. In addition, market development is characterized by increasing globalization, especially in the used spare parts market, which is creating new trends and business models.

ICM: How positive do you see the development of this market worldwide? (Or where do you see the greatest potential for REON GROUP in this market?

Peter Hodecek: The market for the recycling of end-of-life vehicles is growing globally. The material composition of vehicles is changing very rapidly due to technological developments, which is creating new challenges for recycling companies operating in this market segment. Regardless of this, end-of-life vehicles are important and increasingly significant sources of raw materials. The currently planned EU-wide mandatory implementation of minimum recycled content for certain materials in the production of new vehicles will also pose new challenges for the automotive industry. It will therefore be necessary for OEMs and recycling companies to join forces in order to realize the transformation to a circular economy in the automotive sector throughout Europe.