The goal of the MaterialLoop project is to close the material cycle within the automotive industry by using more recycled materials in the production of new vehicles.

By doing so, Audi aims to reduce their ecological footprint and improve security of supply, as raw materials do not have to be extracted from scratch.

The project also aims to improve the recyclability of future models during product development and construction.

As part of the project, 100 vehicles were dismantled and the parts and components were sorted by type for recycling.

The remaining vehicle bodies were shredded and separated into different material groups such as steel, aluminum, and plastic.

Audi has already achieved positive results with glass, plastic, and aluminum recycling.

For instance, new flat glass used in the production of the Q4 e-tron can be made from the glass granulate from car windows that can no longer be repaired.

A chemical recycling process makes it possible to reuse mixed automotive plastic waste, which is used in the Audi Q8 e-tron.

Aluminum sheet scraps have also been collected at various Audi locations since 2017 and returned to the supplier for processing into sheets of the same quality, which Audi then uses again in production.

One of the most significant findings from the MaterialLoop project is that a large part of the recycled steel can be used for the production of new models, even for the most demanding structural parts.

This is great news for the automotive industry as it means that recycled materials can be used without sacrificing quality.

Moreover, this can lead to cost savings as raw materials do not have to be extracted and processed from scratch.

In addition to reducing the environmental impact of the automotive industry, recycling discarded vehicles also has other benefits.

For instance, it can help create jobs in the recycling industry and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Recycling also conserves natural resources and reduces the need for new resource extraction.

In conclusion, the Audi "MaterialLoop" project is a great example of how the automotive industry can close the material cycle and improve sustainability by recycling discarded customer vehicles.

The project has shown that a large part of the recycled steel can be used for the production of new models, even for the most demanding structural parts.

Recycling not only benefits the environment, but also creates jobs and conserves natural resources.

By continuing to invest in recycling initiatives, the automotive industry can improve their sustainability and reduce their environmental impact.