Mercedes-Benz and recycling specialist TSR launch pilot project for end-of-life vehicles

Mercedes‑Benz and TSR Group GmbH & Co. KG are continuing to drive forward their partnership, established in 2024, towards a sustainable circular economy for end-of-life vehicles. As part of an pilot project, the partners are setting up a collection site for end-of-life vehicles for the first time. The aim is to utilise urban sources of raw materials. Value chains are to be closed, and high-quality secondary raw materials recovered for use in new Mercedes‑Benz vehicles.

“Our vision of sustainable mobility requires us to significantly reduce the use of primary raw materials in our vehicles. Urban mining gives us the opportunity to keep valuable materials in the cycle in a resource-efficient manner. Together with our partners, we will continuously increase the proportion of secondary raw materials used in the coming years, thereby contributing our know-how in resource conservation and CO₂ reduction.” – Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement

The pilot project will start in the summer of 2025. Together with TSR, end-of-life vehicles purchased in northwest Germany will be dismantled regardless of their make. Legally classified pollutants and valuable, easily accessible components will be removed.

The materials will then be processed using an innovative recycling method developed by the TSR Group. Materials such as steel, aluminium, plastic, copper, and glass will be recovered, sorted by type and then reintegrated into the production cycle via selected material suppliers.