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Legal requirements and responsibility for the environment require improved recyclability of car components. This can be achieved by a reduction in the variety of materials used, which can be separated after use. This is being demonstrated for wiring harnesses using a new hook and loop based fastening system. Easier assembly and disassembly, elimination of fixation holes in the car body, and improved serviceability can lead to considerable cost reductions. Field experience on test cars will be available at a later date.

Legal requirements, especially in the European Union, rising concern about our environment and economic reasons force us to look at End of Life Vehicles (ELV's) more critically. This paper describes some projects where recycling technologies have been developed showing clearly that recycling can be profitable. The projects demonstrate the recycling of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) insulation in automotive wiring, a separation technology for different plastic materials by melting point, the treatment of laminated materials like flexible printed circuits, some ideas of fastening systems, suited for disassembly and several basic rules for making recycling easier and profitable.