Circular products
We are aware of the value and scarcity of the materials we use to build trucks, so we aim to minimize the volume of materials required, where possible select non-critical raw materials, and increase the recycled content and recyclability of our trucks, parts and components.
Circularity principles by design – EcoDesign
For DAF increasing circularity means to:
- Refuse unnecessary use of raw materials;
- Reduce the raw materials used;
- Reuse (remanufacture, repurpose) items at the end of their ‘first life’;
- Recycle to recover material;
- Only if reuse or recycling is not possible: waste disposal (possibly with energy recovery).
Circularity can be measured by the percentage of parts eligible for recycling and by the actual usage of recycled materials. On average, a DAF truck contains around 35% recycled material—mainly driven by the metal types in the heavier parts. DAF is increasing its efforts to incorporate more and more recycled materials, such as metals, plastics and textiles. Over 90% of the materials is recycable after end of life.
Remanufacturing and product return policies
DAF Trucks is increasing the volume and range of remanufactured parts and components it offers to the aftermarket, such as complete engines, particulate filters, brake callipers, injectors and cooling pumps.
In 2023, we received over 400,000 items back from dealers (a 16% increase, compared to 2022) for remanufacturing purposes both at DAF and its suppliers. Studies have started to investigate remanufacturing opportunities for the driveline components from electric trucks, such as batteries and e-motors.
Recycling – the use of recycling guides
Recycling of vehicles is mostly handled by a specialized industry. DAF is supporting the recycling process in several ways. These include material marking on parts and freely available recycling guides. The recyclability of DAF trucks is over 90%. Recoverability - which also includes potential energy recovery by incineration - even exceeds 95%.
Renewable materials
Circularity is an important goal for DAF. This includes the use of renewable materials, such as remelted steel and glass, and the application of alternative, renewable fuels.
Future possibilities studied by DAF, include plastics derived from biological sources, and recycling plastics by using techniques such as pyrolysis to create new feedstocks.
Developments in all these areas are very sensitive to tax and legislative regulations and work has yet to be done. But if and when fully or largely renewable materials do come on the market, DAF Trucks will explore their possibilities.
To help protect the environment, DAF takes into account the complete life cycle of a product, which consists of three stages: production, use and disposal.
Recyclability: Ability of component parts, materials or both that can be diverted from an end-of-life stream to be recycled.
Recycling: Reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, excluding processing as a means of generating energy.
Recoverability: Ability of component parts, materials or both that can be diverted from an end-of-life stream to be recovered.
Recovery: Reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, together with processing as a means of generating energy.
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