18:14 28-03-2026

BMW opens new recycling center for sustainable vehicle materials

BMW Group has announced the establishment of a new vehicle recycling and dismantling center—the Competence Center Circularity (CCC)—in Wackersdorf. The existing center in Unterschleißheim will be relocated there, with its capacity significantly expanded. The complex is scheduled to launch in early 2029.

This center will be a key element of the company's strategy to develop a circular economy. Its main goal is to improve the efficiency of vehicle recycling and material reuse. In practice, this means reducing dependence on primary resources and lowering the carbon footprint of products.

BMW points out that the experience gained from over 30 years of operation at the current center is already being applied in vehicle development. Principles of "Design for Circularity" are considered during the design of components and materials.

The new complex will combine technology development with practical recycling. Focus areas include automation of dismantling, advancement of sorting technologies, and recycling of hydrogen vehicles. Additionally, recycling data will be accessible to a global network of about 3,000 facilities in 32 countries through a unified knowledge base.

This project is also linked to BMW's collaboration with PreZero, aimed at advancing end-of-life vehicle recycling. Overall, the picture is straightforward: such solutions are expected to influence the entire market, including new vehicles from 2026, where material reuse potential is already considered during the design phase.