Salling Autogenbrug initially had a goal of reducing the waste percentage in car scrap by 20%, so that there would be a maximum of 10% waste in a scrapped car. The ambitions have continuously grown, and after a test of their scrapped cars, where ALL residual materials have been extracted, the waste percentage is now down to 2-4%. (A new video is on the way)
As an auto recycling business, we are inherently "green." Our business model involves buying traffic-damaged cars from insurance companies and end-of-life cars from private individuals, dismantling saleable spare parts, and selling them to other auto recyclers and workshops, so that cars can stay on the road longer, and new parts don't need to be produced. Once all saleable parts have been removed, we sell the rest as scrap. Here is a video about how a traditional auto recycling business operates.
Our supplier, HJ Hansen, collects the scrap-prepared cars and transports them to Odense, where they go through a large shredder plant. The plant works like a giant meat grinder, breaking the cars down into different fractions. Approximately 70% of the car can be recycled. For example, on this facility they can separate iron and precious metals such as copper and aluminum, which have a value that varies according to daily prices. The remaining 30% ends up as incineration and landfill. It is these 30% that we need to reduce: plastics, glass, seat foam, textiles, rubber strips, etc.
But the calculation is not that simple. There are three challenges, the last of them is a challenge for you.
1. The price of scrap cars is calculated per kilo. This means that the more we take out of the cars, the fewer kilos - thus the less money we get for the cars. This challenge has been somewhat resolved with Hj Hansen, as after the test run showing 2-4%, we have received a higher price per kilo for the car scrap delivered with such high purity.
2. Another challenge is that it takes time and costs resources to extract these residual materials. The materials need to be removed from the car before it goes through the shredder plant. Once the car goes through, the 30% is nothing but for incineration or landfill. We have solved this challenge with the help of a strong collaboration with, among others, STU Skivefjord, where young students, who for various reasons cannot manage a regular job or education, come and help disassemble the cars and harvest the various residual materials.
3. The last challenge being worked on—and for which help is sought in this challenge—is what to do with the various residual materials? If they cannot be sold, preferably at a profit, then it becomes a cost to dispose of them.
- Which materials can be used in other industries as raw materials? (Glass, plastic, foam, textile, rubber, etc.)
- Who needs to think innovatively and use residual materials from old cars instead of current procurement of similar materials?
- What new markets can absorb residual products from old cars?
- What partnerships can help us in the right direction?
Working on Solution Proposals, Please Keep in Mind
We are subject to a wide range of environmental regulations and certifications, which we comply with.
