Circular Economy Advances at Equip Auto 2025 Highlight Sustainability in Automotive Aftermarket
Equip Auto 2025 highlighted expanding circular economy initiatives in automotive aftermarket, alongside insurer concerns over repair practices impacting costs and sustainability.
- • The Village of Circular Economy grew to nearly 40 exhibitors showcasing innovations in recycling and remanufacturing.
- • Mobilians is developing quality labels like SRA 'Recycleurs Vertueux' to structure and certify remanufacturing market players.
- • Major manufacturers, including Valeo and Bosch, are re-entering remanufacturing, signaling market maturation.
- • Insurers denounce 'abusive' windshield repair practices with incentives, escalating costs and premiums, prompting new direct repair initiatives.
Key details
Equip Auto 2025 showcased significant developments in the circular economy within the French automotive aftermarket sector, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and market structuring. The Village of Circular Economy expanded to nearly 40 exhibitors, including key recyclers and remanufacturers such as GPA and Dubourg Groupe, who presented innovations and plans for expansion. Surplus Recyclage also announced a new unit focused on remanufacturing electric vehicle batteries, reflecting industry evolution towards sustainable solutions.
Mobilians, the professional association, is spearheading efforts to structure the remanufacturing market by developing quality standards and clear labeling, including the launch of the SRA “Recycleurs Vertueux” label to certify leading recycling centers. According to Julien Dubois, president of Mobilians’ Remanufacturing branch, the market is rapidly evolving with renewed interest from large manufacturers like Valeo and Bosch, signaling a shift towards recognizing remanufactured parts as essential for environmental sustainability rather than threats to new product sales.
These initiatives coincide with broader concerns about repair practices within the automotive sector. Insurers, led by France Assureurs’ president Florence Lustman, criticized some windshield repairers for using client incentives such as gifts to attract business, which inflates repair costs and insurance premiums. Windshield costs increased 14.4% last year due to sophisticated technology that requires precise adjustments. To address rising costs, insurers are exploring direct repair options, with companies like Macif acquiring Mondial Pare-Brise to offer transparent pricing without inducements. These combined efforts reflect a sector keen on balancing economic efficiency with robust sustainability and consumer protection.