Dismantled for haulage
Renault Trucks unveils a salvage centre. The French lorry manufacturer has added another building block to its concept of a circular corporate economy. It has now added a ‘used parts factory’ to its ‘used trucks factory’.
Renault Trucks has already been investing in the circular economy since 2017, with an approach based on renewal, specifically the reuse and recycling of its fleet and used vehicles.
Its existing ‘used trucks factory’, near Lyon in east-central France, offers second-hand lorries rebuilt according to strict industrial processes, as well as upgrades with the latest technologies or used special series.
The corporation is now continuing this more sustainable approach by launching an industrial facility that recycles trucks and reuses the parts and raw materials thus garnered.
Twice to the moon and back
The 3,000 m2 ‘used parts factory, a dedicated plant located in its manufacturing facility in Lyon Vénissieux, will see Renault process used trucks with high mileage but whose parts still have considerable recycling potential.
The manufacturer says it has already designed the components of its vehicles to last for more than 1.5 million km – the equivalent of no less than two trips to the moon and back.
Identified, labelled, traceable
After the vehicles have been dismantled their components are then sorted. Those that aren’t reused are recycled and are then used, for example as recast metal, to produce new units. Those components identified for recycling (engines, gearboxes, cabins, tanks, bumpers and the like) are inspected, cleaned and labelled – both for listing as well as traceability.
Used spare parts are then sent to Renault’s (new and used) spare parts warehouse. The used spare parts, marketed under the ‘used parts by Renault Trucks’ label, are then made available to dealers through Renault’s online spare parts marketplace. The used spare parts are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty and will be up to 60% cheaper than new parts.