Inauguration of the SUSTAINera Circular Economy Center by Stellantis in Turin
Stellantis N.V has officially inaugurated the SUSTAINera Circular Economy Center in the Mirafiori complex in Turin, Italy. This launch is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance the company's ambitions in promoting a circular economy, aligning with the "360-degree" approach based on the "4R" strategy: Remanufacturing, Repair, Reuse, and Recycling.
Goals of the Circular Economy Center
The modern Circular Economy Center aims to extend the lifespan of parts and vehicles, gather components, and recycle them through remanufacturing and dismantling end-of-life vehicles for reuse in manufacturing new cars and spare parts. The first phase will implement four activities at the center in line with the "4R" strategy, with the potential to add more activities in later stages:
Key Activities at the Center
- Remanufacturing: Used or damaged components will be dismantled, cleaned, and remanufactured according to original equipment manufacturing specifications without compromising quality, providing sustainable spare parts at affordable prices branded "SUSTAINera" within Stellantis parts. The center is expected to produce over 50,000 remanufactured parts by 2025, increasing to 150,000 parts by 2030.
- Sorting Center (Remanufacturing and Recycling): Remanufacturing and recycling operations at the center will rely on 2.5 million damaged parts by 2025, rising to 8 million parts by 2030.
- Vehicle Upgrading (Maintenance, Remanufacturing, Reuse): Vehicles will be maintained through cosmetic updates and mechanical part upgrades using new, remanufactured, or used parts, then made available through the "SPOTiCAR" program for certified used cars managed by Stellantis and the Stellantis & You sales and service network.
- Vehicle Dismantling (Recycling, Remanufacturing, Reuse): Vehicle parts can be remanufactured, reused, or recycled at the end of their life cycle. Original equipment parts and parts provided by our partner B-Parts will be utilized for reuse in "SUSTAINera".
Importance and Impact of the Center
This high-performance circular economy center will enhance the efficiency of tasks, materials, and processes, achieving integration among them. Stellantis is focused on enhancing its capabilities and employee skills to transform consumption patterns and provide a smart, integrated ecosystem, aiming to reduce environmental impact and achieve the company's goal of becoming carbon neutral by reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2038.
The center was inaugurated by John Elkann, Chairman of Stellantis, and Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, who cut the ribbon to mark the launch. The opening of the Circular Economy Center in the Mirafiori complex, along with the recently announced Battery Technology Center, reflects Stellantis's commitment to Italy and job creation in the region.
Statements from Officials
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, stated: "The Circular Economy Center is based on exceptional competencies to elevate our operations to a leading center in Europe." He added, "Our focus remains on sustainable material recovery and reuse by enhancing our capabilities and leveraging innovative technologies to improve our performance. We recognize that our commitment to remanufacturing, maintenance, reuse, and recycling will not only help preserve our planet but will also enhance Stellantis's financial value to build a prosperous future by transforming the production and consumption business model as quickly as possible."
Regarding this additional investment, John Elkann, Chairman of Stellantis, commented: "Stellantis reaffirms its commitment to developing the Italian industry and enhancing social development to build a bright future through its investment in the center in Turin." He added, "The Circular Economy Center reflects the collaboration between Stellantis and its partners and suppliers in realizing our ideas and achieving our shared ambitions through a unified plan. We aim to make the center a model factory for producing automotive spare parts that contribute to environmental conservation and economic development."
Stellantis's Investment in the Circular Economy
Stellantis adopted a circular economy approach when preparing the site with an investment of 40 million euros. The Circular Economy Center spans 73,000 square meters, of which 55,000 square meters were reclaimed from a partially used facility. Stellantis has recycled over 5,000 tons of damaged metals for use in constructing the center, relying on reused equipment and machinery from other sites, resulting in a 55% cost reduction compared to purchasing new machines and equipment. The center currently employs 170 highly skilled workers, with expectations to increase the workforce to around 550 employees by 2025.
Supporting Electric and Environmental Strategy
The Circular Economy Center contributes to Stellantis's recent measures to support its global electric vehicle strategy and achieve carbon neutrality, in addition to supporting its core activities, which include:
- Collaboration with Orano: Implementing preprocessing within electric vehicle battery recycling operations to recover cobalt, nickel, and lithium materials from end-of-life vehicles and scrap from large factories.
- Establishing the SUSTAINera Valorauto SAS Project: A joint venture with Gallo for managing end-of-life vehicles.
- Collaboration with Qinomic: To develop the process of converting light commercial fuel-powered vehicles into electric vehicles. The prototype was launched at the "Solutrans" exhibition in Lyon, France, on November 25.
- Forming Strategic Partnerships: To secure raw materials for electric vehicle batteries and establish six large factories across Europe and North America.
- Opening the First Battery Technology Center: In the Mirafiori complex for internal testing and developing electric vehicle batteries.
Circular Economy Business Unit
The Circular Economy Business Unit at Stellantis is one of seven business units announced in the "Dare Forward 2030" strategic plan, aiming to achieve revenues exceeding 2 billion euros by 2030.
