Mercedes-Benz has been collaborating with several partners to recycle end-of-life tyres, resulting in the production of components for several models.

By using BASF’s chemical recycling process, Pyrum Innovations pyrolysis oil generated from used tires, and a combination of biomethane from agricultural waste, the collaboration has managed to produce a virgin-quality plastic that is certified in accordance with the mass balance approach. An independent certification company confirms the supplier has replaced the quantity of fossil resources necessary for a final product which uses renewable resources and pyrolysis oil from scrap tires. The project between Mercedes-Benz and BASF marks the first time pyrolysis oil from scrap tires has been combined with biomethane.

By recovering the secondary materials, both the fossil resources and also the carbon footprint of the resulting plastic is reduced. Furthermore, the recycled plastic has the same characteristics as virgin plastic produced from crude oil, enabling it to be applied as a drop-in solution for ongoing production processes.

In 2022, the EQE and S-Class models will become the first series-production models to feature bow door handles produced from a combination of biomethane and pyrolysis oil from end-of-life tires. A crash absorber based on these raw sustainable materials will also feature on the S-Class. Upcoming models including the EQE SUV will also feature bow door handles.

The pair aims to increase the use of the recycled material, and also the use of chemical recycling in combination with the biomass balance approach for further sustainable plastic parts for vehicles.