Effect of vehicle lightweighting on the profitability of the automobile recycling infrastructure

摘要

Environmental awareness regarding resource use and emissions over the life cycle of the automobile has recently grown,and has heightened concerns for end-of-life(EOL) vehicle disposal.With increasing use of lighter materials to enhance fuel economy,the steel dominated materials content in vehicles is changing to include greater fractions of polymers and aluminum.This change may substantially impact vehicle disposal.In light of impending regulations,various alternatives for remanufacturing and reuse of components and material disposal are under investigation.For example,if shredder operations are used for reclaiming metallic materials for disposal,then the extent.Tradeoffs among technological and economic feasibility,and the degree of environmental detriment must be determined for each alternative.