iarc 2026 is the international platform for discussing the latest developments and challenges in circular economy and automotive recycling. We bring together up to 300 decision-makers from the automotive and recycling sector, especially car manufacturers, metal suppliers, plastic scrap traders, recyclers, shredder operators, policy-makers and many more.

Message from the Chair of the Steering Committee

The vehicle recycling industry is facing a major change in the months to come with the imminent conclusion of the ELV regulation prepared at the EU level: as for the 2000 ELV Directive, the EU initiative will reshuffle the cards at the world level, because this time the regulation will merge with the “type approval” directive, with a direct effect on the “design” of the new vehicle. And we know the car manufacturers are not designing their vehicles only for the EU market, but worldwide. This new ELV regulation has been voted by the EU Parliament and is now in the “trilogue” discussion for final adjustments between the Commission and the Council. The new ELV Regulation introduces major goals with regard to the vehicle “circularity,” and it brings answers to the key problem of “resources” and access to raw material for the car manufacturers. This will, of course, include the development of used spare parts – both mechanical and body parts – but overall the use of recycled materials in new vehicles manufacturing.

This second point is of tremendous importance to support the demand for recycled materials, which has been lacking for decades now, hindering the development of the recycling industry in many countries. The eco-design of vehicles will be the core of all these changes: there can be no circularity without a proper “design”. The question of the car manufacturers’ involvement is therefore a major one.

We also observe that many stakeholders still lack basic knowledge about the recycling of their end-of-life vehicles. Since 2001, IARC has been the keystone and most important place for all stakeholders on this topic to meet, exchange information, and prepare their future operations and investments.

For all those reasons, you are warmly welcome to come and meet your industry peers at IARC 2026! Looking forward to seeing you in Hamburg!

Olivier François

Chair of the Steering Committee

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