Recycling and Reuse of Automotive Materials: Sustainable Approaches.

The automotive industry is beginning a paradigm shift from a linear "take-make-dispose" model to a circular economy (CE) framework. This transition is driven by emerging environmental regulations, resource scarcity, and the urgent need to mitigate the carbon footprint of the mobility sector following the recent adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the lead-up to the COP21 Paris climate negotiations. This research article explores the current state-of-the-art in End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) recycling and the sustainable reuse of automotive materials. We analyze technical advancements in the recovery of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, the challenges of polymer and composite recycling, and the nascent field of electric vehicle (EV) battery second-life applications. The study further examines "Design for Disassembly" (DfD) strategies and the potential role of early Industry 4.0 technologies, such as automated sorting and digital material tracking, in enhancing recovery rates. By synthesizing data from industrial implementations and academic studies (2008–2015), this paper provides a comprehensive roadmap for achieving a sustainable automotive ecosystem, accounting for technological, economic, and geopolitical variables.