BMW Group – Sustainability – Our Focus – Circular Economy
Sustainability - Our Focus - Circular Economy BMW Group
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Vehicles and Circularity: Towards Sustainable Development Goals
Vehicles are a complex structure, made up of different components, parts, and materials. The concept of circularity presents immense potential to transform this composition and ensure a more efficient use of resources. One key approach is to utilize a limited number of mono-materials that can be easily recycled. To achieve this, it is crucial to make these materials readily available at the end of a vehicle’s life. Therefore, optimizing disassembly processes becomes essential. The NEUE KLASSE, starting from 2025, will contribute to improving disassembly methods.
Increased Use of Secondary Materials
Another central approach towards sustainable development is the increased use of secondary materials. This approach serves two purposes. Firstly, it reduces our dependence on valuable and limited resources. Secondly, secondary materials generally require less energy for production compared to primary raw materials. Gradually increasing the content of secondary raw materials is a crucial measure in reducing CO2 emissions in the supply chain. However, the availability of high-quality secondary materials is a prerequisite for this strategy. In light of this, we are actively planning to utilize end-of-life vehicles as a source of high-quality secondary raw materials. The Car2Car project, a joint initiative with the recycling industry, commodity processors, and academia, is laying the foundation for this endeavor. The project is supported by the state and aims to develop technologies that improve the recycling of end-of-life vehicles. More information about the Car2Car project can be found here.
Innovative Solutions for Complex Components
While some raw materials, such as aluminum, can already be easily recycled and are available in sufficient quantities as high-quality secondary materials, other components pose greater challenges. For instance, high-voltage batteries have a complex composition and contain valuable raw materials that are difficult to recycle. To address this issue, we are collaborating with innovative partners from the business and academic sectors to develop solutions for recovering and reusing these raw materials.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse | – Use of limited number of mono-materials that can be effectively recycled – Increased use of secondary materials – Use of end-of-life vehicles as a source of high-quality secondary raw materials |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Gradually increasing secondary raw material content to reduce supply chain CO2 emissions |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes | – Development of solutions to recover and reuse raw materials from complex components like high-voltage batteries |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
– SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
– SDG 13: Climate Action
– SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse (under SDG 12)
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (under SDG 13)
– Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes (under SDG 9)
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Use of limited number of mono-materials that can be effectively recycled (indicator for Target 12.5)
– Increased use of secondary materials (indicator for Target 12.5)
– Use of end-of-life vehicles as a source of high-quality secondary raw materials (indicator for Target 12.5)
– Gradually increasing secondary raw material content to reduce supply chain CO2 emissions (indicator for Target 13.2)
– Development of solutions to recover and reuse raw materials from complex components like high-voltage batteries (indicator for Target 9.4)
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: bmwgroup.com
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