Machines and plants for treatment of end-of-life cars
The acronym ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles) refers to cars and vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life and are no longer roadworthy. These vehicles are dismantled or recycled to recover valuable materials, including ferrous and nonferrous metals, glass, plastics, and other reusable components. Before recycling, hazardous materials such as liquids and batteries are removed, allowing the vehicle to be compressed into bales for easier transportation and processing at recycling facilities.
The ELV recycling industry plays a vital role in reducing waste and promoting the circular economy.
An End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) is composed of a number of different materials, the percentage of which can vary depending on the type of car, the model and the year of production. On average, the composition of an end-of-life car is as follows:
- Ferrous metals (steel and iron): Approx. 65-70%
- Non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, etc.): Approx. 10%
- Plastics and polymers: Approx. 10-15%
- Glass: Approx. 3-5%
- Liquids: Approx. 1-2%
- Rubber: About 3%
- Textiles (upholstery, padding, carpets): Approx. 1-2%
These percentages represent a general estimate. The recycling industry has made considerable progress in recovering most of these materials, especially metals, which can be recycled and reused in new applications.
Today, when discussing automotive scrap shredders, we increasingly refer to medium-sized processing plants, such as the Blue Devil rotary shear and the Blue Shark range of hammer mills.
The reason is simple: processing ELVs with more compact plants is much more efficient, requires less capital investment and has lower operating costs.
The main advantages of pre-shredding
The primary advantages of pre-shredding automotive scrap (including cars and bales) with the Blue Devil Twin Shaft Rotary Shear are twofold: it boosts production by up to 60% and reduces wear and tear, maintenance, and energy costs associated with the Hammer Mill. Most importantly, it helps mitigate the risk of internal explosions within the shredding chamber of the Hammer Mill.
After pre shredding with the Blue Devil and shredding with the Blue Shark Hammer Mill, the Blue Sorter scrap cleaning and separation lines can efficiently sort and clean between 20 to 150 tons per hour of material, including dust and other scrap residues. This process achieves excellent recovery rates for both ferrous (E40) and nonferrous (ASR) metals.
