Munich/Wackersdorf. The BMW Group is set to relocate its Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) from Unterschleißheim to a newly established Competence Centre for Circularity at its Wackersdorf site. This significant expansion aims to enhance the company’s vehicle dismantling and recycling capabilities, with operations anticipated to commence in early 2029.
Jörg Lederbauer, Vice-President of Circular Economy at BMW Group, stated, “The circular economy is a key element of our corporate strategy. Our new competence centre in Wackersdorf will be pivotal in our circular value chain, promoting resource efficiency in future mobility. We aim to keep materials circulating and ensure resources maintain their value long-term, thereby reducing reliance on primary raw materials while using high-quality secondary materials to lower carbon footprints.”
For over three decades, the RDC in Unterschleißheim has pioneered methods to advance recycling processes and material recovery. The insights gained from this facility have directly informed BMW’s product development in line with Design for Circularity principles. Collaborations, such as with PreZero, seek to unlock the economic potential of circular practices in end-of-life vehicle recycling.
The RDC also supports a global network of approximately 3,000 businesses across 32 countries, providing access to a shared database focused on cost-effective disassembly and efficient material recovery.
The new Competence Centre will further integrate process, material, and technology development with vehicle recycling operations. It will encompass the recycling of hydrogen vehicles and the automation of dismantling processes while advancing innovative shredding and sorting technologies.
BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf is regarded as an ideal location for this new centre, known for its flexibility over the years. The site already hosts various operations, including cockpit production and battery testing, thus possessing a wealth of expertise within the BMW network.
Stefan Betz, head of BMW Group Plant Wackersdorf, remarked on the site’s future-oriented focus: “Establishing the competence centre here provides a broader foundation for our operations and taps into an attractive area of activity.”
André Mandl, Works Council Chairman for BMW Group Plants Regensburg and Wackersdorf, expressed support for the strategic decision: “This represents an important commitment not only to the Wackersdorf location but also to its workforce.”
Local officials also welcomed the announcement. Thomas Falter, Mayor of Wackersdorf, noted that BMW’s continued presence signals a commitment to sustainable technologies. District Administrator Thomas Ebeling added that the centre would enhance regional value creation and foster collaboration between business and academia on circular economy initiatives.
With planning for the new Competence Centre now underway, the existing RDC in Unterschleißheim will remain operational until the relocation is complete. Further updates from BMW Group regarding the project’s progression are expected shortly.
© BMW Group
