Munich/Heilbronn, 5 February 2026. The BMW Group and
PreZero, the international circular economy company that forms parts
of the Schwarz Group, are taking an important step towards a future
based on circular principles. At the IPAI (Innovation Park Artificial
Intelligence) campus in Heilbronn, Germany, the two companies signed a
strategic cooperation agreement to substantially advance the circular
economy across the European automotive industry. The aim of the
collaboration is to develop a business model for the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles, creating a closed loop for both materials and recycling.
From end-of-life vehicle to a source of materials
The cooperation between the BMW Group and PreZero seeks to harness
the strategic and economic potential of the circular economy for
recycling end-of-life vehicles, while simultaneously tackling the
automotive industry’s current challenges. Going forward, the goal is
to reduce dependence on raw materials and make supply chains more
resilient. This is precisely where the joint initiative comes in: Its
objective is to develop a viable business model for an innovative
materials and recycling loop, systematically using end-of-life
vehicles as a strategic source of materials. Initially, a vehicle’s
components will be kept in the loop for as long as possible through
continued use. As a next step, innovative recycling processes will
recover more high-quality recycled materials and raw materials. The
new approach is also expected to significantly reduce the need for
primary raw materials.
Establishing the circular economy as a business model
The partnership with PreZero is integral to the BMW Group’s corporate
and decarbonisation strategy. Ralf Hattler, Senior Vice President
Customer Support and Aftersales BMW Group, summarises the importance
of the cooperation as follows: “The collaboration with PreZero is
another milestone on the road to establishing the circular economy as
a genuine business model. For the BMW Group, circularity is already a
central element of our corporate strategy and a key driver of CO2
reduction and resource efficiency. Together with PreZero, we are
creating the conditions needed to design a vehicle’s entire value
chain in a way that keeps materials and components of the highest
quality in the loop for as long as possible. Our goal is to
significantly reduce the need for primary materials and make supply
chains more resilient.”
For PreZero, the cooperation is a logical step towards combining
environmental responsibility with economic success.Carsten Dülfer, CEO
of PreZero in Germany, underlines the significance for the market:
“After acquiring Europe’s largest battery recycling facility last
year, we are now taking the next step with the BMW Group towards
establishing a functional circular economy in the automotive industry.
Together, we are developing scalable solutions that not only meet
strict compliance and sustainability requirements but also drive the
decarbonisation of the industry across Europe. In this way, we are
closing the gap between automotive development and the realities of recycling.”
Foundation for collaboration
The cooperation is rooted in the development of a business model that
will ensure comprehensive recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Within
the framework of the collaboration, innovative and efficient recycling
processes for end-of-life vehicles will be jointly tested and brought
to series maturity, while new approaches to material flow management
will also be developed.
A core element will be knowledge transfer: From the assembly line to
the recycling pipeline, the BMW Group will contribute its “design for
recycling” know-how and insights gained from the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles at its in-house Recycling and Dismantling Centre
(RDC), as well as materials and manufacturing expertise. PreZero will
share its expert knowledge of European material flows and sorting
technologies. The company will also draw on its extensive expertise as
one of Europe’s leading battery recyclers. At the same time, the
cooperation will strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the
automotive industry. The aim is to first reuse components and then
recycle recoverable materials such as steel, aluminium, plastics and
battery raw materials. The cooperation is also fully aligned with the
European Union’s circular economy strategy and its efforts to enhance resilience.
Further information:
BMW
Group Recycling and Dismantling Centre
If you have any questions, please contact:
BMW Group
Corporate Communications and Governmental Affairs
Isabel Richter
Head of Sustainability Communications BMW Group
Telephone: +49-151-601-53189
Email: Isabel.Richter@bmwgroup.com
Media website: www.press.bmwgroup.com/
The BMW Group
With its four brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the
BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles
and motorcycles and also provides premium financial services. The BMW
Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide;
the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2024, the BMW Group sold 2.45 million passenger vehicles and more
than 210,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the
financial year 2024 was € 11.0 billion on revenues amounting to €
142.4 billion. As of 31 December 2024, the BMW Group had a workforce
of 159,104 employees.
The economic success of the BMW Group has always been based on
long-term thinking and responsible action. Sustainability is a key
element of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy and covers all products
– from the supply chain through production to the end of their useful life.
www.bmwgroup.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bmwgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwgroup
PreZero
PreZero is an international circular economy company with around
30,000 employees at more than 460 locations across ten countries. It
is part of the Schwarz Group, which also includes Kaufland and Lidl.
The company provides services across the entire circular economy value
chain. This includes the collection, sorting, processing and recovery
of waste, as well as consulting on disposal, recycling processes and
packaging issues. The company’s vision: zero waste and 100-percent
recyclable materials.
https://prezero-international.com/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/prezero-international
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZ4ro9pkchUI_23PNXinFA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prezero_int/
If you have any questions, please contact:
International Marketing & Corporate Affairs
Ralf Maushake
Mobile: +49 173 9706646
PreZero Stiftung & Co. KG
Stiftsbergstraße 1 · 74172 Neckarsulm, Germany · Telephone: +49
(0)7132 30-773 322 · Telefax: +49 (0)7132 94-299 450
Limited partnership · Registered office: Neckarsulm, Germany ·
District Court of Stuttgart: HRA 734783 · VAT ID: DE319559121
General partner with power of representation: Xi‑Stiftung, based in
Dresden, registered with the State Directorate of Saxony, reference
no. AZ 20‑2245/591