International Automotive Recycling Congress (IARC 2026)
IARC 2026 is one of the most important international conferences for car manufacturers and automotive recyclers, bringing together approximately 300 industry representatives — vehicle manufacturers, end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling companies, material recycling companies, technology developers, and policymakers.
Location and date: Hamburg, Germany, March 25–27, 2026
The conference covered several key industry topics:
- Circular economy in the automotive industry – how to use secondary materials more efficiently
- End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) regulation – new EU requirements for vehicle recycling and design
- Material recovery – metals, plastics, batteries (from hybrid and electric vehicles)
- Design for recycling – in the future, vehicles must be designed with recycling in mind
- Supply chains and raw material availability – increasing demand for recycled materials
Regulatory changes (critical importance)
- The EU is preparing new regulations for vehicle manufacturers and ELV recyclers (ELV Regulation), which will directly impact the industry
- This means new requirements for material usage and recycling processes
IARC 2026 provided clear insight that the vehicle manufacturing industry, as well as the end-of-life vehicle recycling sector, is rapidly evolving. Participation in such an event is essential for companies to:
- follow industry trends
- adapt to new requirements
- develop new cooperation projects
