Europe’s Largest Auto Recycler Expands With New Dismantling Hub

New facility at Flins will process 7,000 vehicles, recover parts, recycle materials

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One of Europe’s key players in automotive recycling is expanding its industrial capacity with a new dismantling center set to open later this year at the Flins Refactory site in France. The new facility will process 7,000 end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) annually, recovering more than 25 reusable components per vehicle and processing 14+ different materials for recycling.

This latest move strengthens the operator’s ability to serve the entire automotive circular economy value chain — from raw recycled material supply through to responsible dismantling and parts reuse. It responds directly to growing demand from insurance and repair sectors for sustainable alternatives to new parts and materials, while helping to address regulatory and environmental pressures on the industry.

The new dismantling line at Flins introduces industrial-scale vehicle processing with a focus on efficiency, compliance, and traceability. The facility incorporates a seven-station line running 24/7, supported by integrated vehicle storage and an advanced administrative management system. It is equipped to handle all vehicle types, including electric vehicles (EVs), using diagnostic tools from the site’s Battery Repair Expert Center.

In addition to dismantling, the center manages the full lifecycle of recovered parts — from sorting and protective packaging to online cataloging. Components are photographed and listed on the Opisto platform, which holds 50,000 references, enabling traceable, fast-moving reuse of parts across Europe’s automotive aftermarket.

The new center complements an integrated set of circular economy operations at the Flins site, forming what is being positioned as Europe’s most complete closed-loop ecosystem for damaged vehicles. The site already houses capabilities in used vehicle reconditioning, repair services, component remanufacturing, and battery recycling.

Recovered parts will flow directly into repair and reconditioning activities, while reclaimed materials feed back into European manufacturing supply chains. The growing volume of EVs processed also supports the site's evolving expertise in battery lifecycle management and recycling. Strengthening industrial processing capacity helps shorten supply chains for recycled components and aligns with sustainability goals set by OEMs and insurers alike.

Environment + Energy Leader