Six Automakers Unite to Launch BlueRebirth Council for Vehicle Recycling

DENSO CORPORATION, Toray Industries, Nomura Research Institute, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., MATEC Inc., and REVER CORPORATION have announced the establishment of the BlueRebirth Council. This initiative aims to build a manufacturing and recycling integrated value chain to achieve Car-to-Car recycling, starting with automated precision dismantling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).

The automotive industry is under increasing pressure to transition to a circular economy, reducing natural resource consumption and expanding the use of recycled materials. Current methods, such as shredding ELVs followed by material sorting, often fail to secure high-purity recycled materials. Additionally, collaboration between the manufacturing and recycling sectors has been limited, hindering the widespread use of recycled materials in automotive components.

The BlueRebirth Council, established on June 30, 2025, is committed to transforming the automotive recycling industry into a 'recycled materials manufacturing industry' by 2035. The council will focus on advancing technology development and demonstration projects, starting with automated precision dismantling. This system utilizes AI and sensor technologies to enable robots to operate efficiently, even with deformed parts, ensuring high-quality and volume of recycled materials while addressing worker shortages.

Recording material provenance and environmental impact on a digital platform will enhance the reliability and stability of recycled material supply. The council will also engage in discussions, research, and recommendations to relevant companies and organizations, promoting the use of recycled materials in the automotive industry.

Automated precision dismantling not only improves the quality and volume of recycled materials but also contributes to solving workforce issues. By 2035, the BlueRebirth Council aims to establish a true Car-to-Car recycling system, where all automobile parts are returned to raw materials and reused in new vehicle production.

Hirotsugu Takeuchi of DENSO CORPORATION and Naoto Matsuoka of REVER CORPORATION will lead the council as chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively. The executive committee includes representatives from major automotive and technology companies, with approximately 30 member companies at the time of establishment.

Through these efforts, the BlueRebirth Council aims to contribute significantly to the realization of a circular economy in the automotive industry, ensuring a sustainable future for vehicle manufacturing and recycling.