At the Automobile Recycling Summit IV held on June 25 at Akihabara UDX, a series of presentations focused on the distribution of used car parts, damaged vehicles, and the recycling landscape in the Indian market. The speakers shared insights from both practical experience and international trends, envisioning the future of the industry.

 

 

■ Reforming the Global Distribution of Used Parts: Mr. Taishi Suzuki, Kaiho Sangyo

 

 

Mr. Taishi Suzuki, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Overseas and System Divisions at Kaiho Sangyo Co., Ltd., delivered a presentation titled “Trends in the Distribution of Reused Auto Parts and Kaiho Sangyo’s Initiatives.”

 

He introduced the company’s resource circulation model that leverages digital technologies, explaining how Kaiho exports parts to over 90 countries and generates 70% of its sales overseas. The company has developed its own “KRA system” to optimize inventory and sales management, uses QR codes for individual part identification, and has built a robust online sales infrastructure.

 

When asked about the handling of EV batteries, Suzuki stated, “Currently, lithium-ion batteries are mainly traded through C-to-C platforms like Yahoo Auctions, and they have yet to enter the mainstream recycling industry.” Comparing international trends, he added, “In India, manufacturers are leading legal development and material recovery, while in East African nations, cross-border vehicle movement is common, making it difficult to establish localized recycling systems.”

 

Regarding the implementation of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), he explained, “In India, there is a growing system requiring automakers to recycle a certain percentage of steel components they sell, with certification-based reporting.” He emphasized that government-led policy development is essential to establish effective traceability.

 

 

■ Damaged Vehicle Redistribution as a Driver of Social Value: Mr. Hiroki Akama, TAU

 

 

Mr. Hiroki Akama, Director of the Recycling Town Promotion Office at TAU Corporation, took the stage next with a presentation titled “Reforming the Distribution Structure of Damaged Vehicles and the Challenge of Enhancing Social Value.”

 

He introduced a model that categorizes accident-damaged and end-of-life vehicles into four types through a method called “Car Triage”—Reuse, Repair, Dismantle, and Recycle—redistributing them for the most appropriate use.

 

He also discussed TAU’s multifaceted efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and contribute to local communities through the development of the Super Car Tender (SCT) multi-processing facility, disaster response agreements with local governments, training programs for technical interns, and overseas expansion.

 

In response to questions about the safe transport of disaster-stricken or electric vehicles, he explained, “Through our group’s logistics company TGL and a network of over 200 partners, we respond with standardized protocols—for instance, removing battery terminals from submerged vehicles.”

 

Regarding efforts in the Philippines, he stated that TAU is working with local authorities to introduce Japanese dismantling and transportation practices and expressed, “We hope to expand Japanese-style safety protocols globally moving forward.”

 

 

■ Current State of India’s Recycling Policies and System Development: Mr. Amar Singh, MRAI

 

 

Mr. Amar Singh, Secretary General of the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), described the current situation in India, where over 200 million two-, three-, and four-wheel vehicles are scrapped annually. However, only 8% are processed by officially registered dismantling facilities (RVSFs), with the vast majority handled by the informal sector.

 

He explained that the Indian government is preparing to implement its End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Policy in 2025, which includes introducing an EPR system and mandatory scrapping rules. MRAI is actively contributing through policy proposals and educational initiatives.

 

When asked about the definition of and measures to reduce the informal sector, Amar explained, “It refers to unregistered dismantlers who operate using only hand tools.” The government is promoting RVSF registration and basic management standards for these operators through incentives and awareness campaigns.

 

On collaboration with Japan, he stated, “Japan is a model in both legal and technical fields. Many Japanese companies are already involved in shaping local policies, and we aim to strengthen partnerships in legal framework development and technology transfer going forward.”

 

These three presentations—spanning global perspectives and hands-on experience—highlighted key challenges in the automotive recycling field, such as handling electric vehicles, addressing the informal sector, and building traceability systems.

 

 

(IRuniverse Lin)

 

 

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