International Automotive Recycling Congress IARC2026
The worlds of the circular economy, vehicle recycling, and future business opportunities converged at the IARC 2026 Congress in Hamburg, where leading industry experts, companies, and decision-makers gathered to discuss the future of end-of-life vehicle management. This travel report provides an overview of the event’s key themes and explores how upcoming EU legislation is expected to shape vehicle dismantling, material recovery, and circular economy practices in the years ahead.
The report also highlights a presentation delivered by Nani Pajunen, which focused on the development of vehicle dismantling processes and the research and development activities carried out at Turku University of Applied Sciences. The presentation illustrated how dismantling methods, material separation processes, and recyclability are being improved in collaboration with companies and industry stakeholders to create a more efficient and economically viable circular economy ecosystem.
In addition, the travel report offers a practical insight into ongoing research activities. It describes a vehicle dismantling line where new working methods have been tested, dismantling process efficiency has been measured, and technologies for material identification and separation have been developed. Particular attention is given to plastics, steel, automotive glass, and valuable and critical raw materials, all of which are becoming increasingly important in the transition towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy.
The report also includes a visit to KIESOW Autorecycling, providing an interesting example of large-scale vehicle recycling and spare parts operations in Germany. The travel report offers valuable insights into international best practices, emerging solutions, and future opportunities for stakeholders interested in the development of the circular economy, the recycling sector, and the automotive industry. Open the document to explore the ongoing transformation of the industry and discover the opportunities it creates for Finnish organizations and businesses.
Whole report in Finnish:
Please note that some concepts and terminology may change when translating the text from Finnish into English.