LRP Autorecycling, Germany’s largest certified network for dismantling and recycling end-of-life vehicles, is broadening its operations in the spare parts sector. The company, which has five facilities across Germany, processes around 20,000 vehicles each year, with approximately 7,000 being dismantled. At its Magdeburg site, a team of 20 staff members oversees the handling of more than 3,500 cars annually.
Evolution from logistics to recycling
Founder Knut Rodewald began his career focusing on logistics support for industrial vehicles before shifting his attention to the recycling of cars. The resale of recovered parts has become a vital aspect of the business. Rodewald notes that the duration for which parts remain in storage can vary significantly, as he walks through the facility’s storage area filled with salvaged components.
“Depending on the parts, they could stay at our warehouse for just five hours or maybe 10 years,” Rodewald explains. Each recovered part undergoes a thorough cleaning, is assigned a unique QR code, and is then stored. Additionally, staff members photograph the parts for online sales purposes. Rodewald highlights the potential of a single vehicle to yield numerous reusable parts, saying, “Did you know that a single car could mean 30 reused parts in storage?” He points to examples such as windshields, rims, doors, radios, switches, and screws.
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The majority of orders are received through online platforms like e-Bay, and the company prepares these orders in-house for shipment. This approach enables LRP to maintain traceability while efficiently delivering parts to customers across Germany. With 70 industry partners nationwide, including major automobile manufacturers, Rodewald believes these relationships, combined with a strong online presence, are key in helping LRP work through the competitive market.
Risks associated with electric vehicles
LRP also handles damaged electric vehicles and their batteries. However, it’s common for the batteries to have been removed by manufacturers prior to arrival, either for reuse or recycling. The company typically receives fewer than 50 batteries in each batch, often from vehicles that have been damaged and require specialized assistance. Requests for assistance come from emergency services, car manufacturers, and individual vehicle owners.
The transportation of damaged electric vehicles can be unpredictable. Rodewald recounts an incident where a crashed electric car was deemed safe to transport by the fire brigade, only to catch fire shortly after being collected by LRP. “We were barely a kilometre from the crash site, that’s how fast things can go wrong. No-one was hurt but these stories can have a very different ending. I think my crew prefers not to drive around with a mini-bomb on the back of their truck! It goes to show that all eyes should be on safety and easy access to the battery.”
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Combating illegal operations
Rodewald expresses skepticism regarding the effectiveness of forthcoming vehicle recycling targets. Recent changes to German law mandate that end-of-life vehicles be treated within a year, although the implications for storing spare parts are still unclear. “For every law, there are at least five opinions on it,” Rodewald notes with a laugh. He also highlights the issue of criminal activity, stating, “A lot of dismantling companies are being closed due to intense illegal dismantling practices.
Pay attention and you’ll find a lot of small garages treating cars without having the proper authority. It’s a really big problem in an already competitive industry; an estimated 500 million used vehicles go missing every year, according to government statistics. We’re lucky to have firm roots in the market and a solid reputation.”