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Hydro & Mercedes-Benz Trucks advance circular aluminium use
Recycled aluminium supports low-carbon vehicle manufacturing through closed-loop material integration in electric truck development.
www.hydro.com
Photo: Mercedes-Benz ReECONIC
Hydro is supplying recycled aluminium to Mercedes-Benz Trucks for the reECONIC project, demonstrating how circular material flows can be applied in commercial vehicle manufacturing while meeting structural and safety requirements.
The project is based on the battery-electric eEconic waste collection truck platform and involves collaboration with more than 30 partners to integrate recycled, reusable, and low-carbon materials across the vehicle lifecycle.
Closed-loop aluminium in vehicle structures
For the reECONIC vehicle, Hydro supplied 31 extruded aluminium components with a total mass of approximately 600 kg. These components are produced from Hydro CIRCAL, a recycled aluminium material containing at least 75 percent post-consumer scrap.
The extrusions are used in structural and safety-critical areas, demonstrating that high recycled content aluminium can meet mechanical and durability requirements for commercial vehicles. Aluminium’s ability to be repeatedly recycled without degradation supports its use in closed-loop material systems.
European production and processing chain
The Hydro CIRCAL billets used in the project were produced at a recycling facility in Ghlin, Belgium. Subsequent extrusion, machining, and anodizing processes were carried out at production sites in the Netherlands and Poland.
This regional production model reduces transportation distances and supports supply chain resilience within Europe. It also contributes to lower overall environmental impact by limiting logistics-related emissions.
Material properties and emission reduction
Hydro CIRCAL is manufactured from post-consumer aluminium scrap, including end-of-life automotive and construction materials. The material has a certified carbon footprint as low as 1.9 kg CO₂ per kilogram of aluminium, significantly below conventional primary aluminium production levels.
By integrating this material into vehicle structures, manufacturers can reduce emissions at the material sourcing stage while maintaining compatibility with existing design and manufacturing processes.
Application in electric commercial vehicles
The reECONIC project applies circular design principles across the vehicle lifecycle, including material sourcing, component manufacturing, and end-of-life recyclability. Aluminium components play a key role due to their combination of lightweight properties, structural performance, and recyclability.
The use of recycled aluminium in an electric waste collection vehicle demonstrates how material efficiency and electrification strategies can be combined to reduce the overall environmental footprint of commercial transport systems.
Demonstration and industry application
The complete reECONIC vehicle is being presented at the IFAT Munich, where the integration of recycled and alternative materials is showcased. A separate driver’s cab is also displayed to illustrate material composition and component design.
Hydro will further present its circular aluminium solutions at ALUFAIR 2026, focusing on applications in mobility and construction sectors.
The cooperation between Hydro and Mercedes-Benz Trucks illustrates how recycled materials can be integrated into industrial production systems, supporting resource efficiency and reducing lifecycle emissions in vehicle manufacturing.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.
www.hydro.com
Hydro is supplying recycled aluminium to Mercedes-Benz Trucks for the reECONIC project, demonstrating how circular material flows can be applied in commercial vehicle manufacturing while meeting structural and safety requirements.
The project is based on the battery-electric eEconic waste collection truck platform and involves collaboration with more than 30 partners to integrate recycled, reusable, and low-carbon materials across the vehicle lifecycle.
Closed-loop aluminium in vehicle structures
For the reECONIC vehicle, Hydro supplied 31 extruded aluminium components with a total mass of approximately 600 kg. These components are produced from Hydro CIRCAL, a recycled aluminium material containing at least 75 percent post-consumer scrap.
The extrusions are used in structural and safety-critical areas, demonstrating that high recycled content aluminium can meet mechanical and durability requirements for commercial vehicles. Aluminium’s ability to be repeatedly recycled without degradation supports its use in closed-loop material systems.
European production and processing chain
The Hydro CIRCAL billets used in the project were produced at a recycling facility in Ghlin, Belgium. Subsequent extrusion, machining, and anodizing processes were carried out at production sites in the Netherlands and Poland.
This regional production model reduces transportation distances and supports supply chain resilience within Europe. It also contributes to lower overall environmental impact by limiting logistics-related emissions.
Material properties and emission reduction
Hydro CIRCAL is manufactured from post-consumer aluminium scrap, including end-of-life automotive and construction materials. The material has a certified carbon footprint as low as 1.9 kg CO₂ per kilogram of aluminium, significantly below conventional primary aluminium production levels.
By integrating this material into vehicle structures, manufacturers can reduce emissions at the material sourcing stage while maintaining compatibility with existing design and manufacturing processes.
Application in electric commercial vehicles
The reECONIC project applies circular design principles across the vehicle lifecycle, including material sourcing, component manufacturing, and end-of-life recyclability. Aluminium components play a key role due to their combination of lightweight properties, structural performance, and recyclability.
The use of recycled aluminium in an electric waste collection vehicle demonstrates how material efficiency and electrification strategies can be combined to reduce the overall environmental footprint of commercial transport systems.
Demonstration and industry application
The complete reECONIC vehicle is being presented at the IFAT Munich, where the integration of recycled and alternative materials is showcased. A separate driver’s cab is also displayed to illustrate material composition and component design.
Hydro will further present its circular aluminium solutions at ALUFAIR 2026, focusing on applications in mobility and construction sectors.
The cooperation between Hydro and Mercedes-Benz Trucks illustrates how recycled materials can be integrated into industrial production systems, supporting resource efficiency and reducing lifecycle emissions in vehicle manufacturing.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.
www.hydro.com
