Toyota launches first-ever circular factory at Derbyshire plant

Toyota is launching the first-ever Toyota Circular Factory (TCF) at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.

The facility will process end-of-life vehicles to maximise environmental benefits through recycling, repurposing and remanufacturing parts.

In its first phase, starting later this year, the factory will handle 10,000 vehicles annually, recovering valuable parts and raw materials.

The second phase will expand TCF across Europe and beyond, collaborating with partners focused on sustainability.

The TCF will focus on reusing parts, remanufacturing items like batteries and wheels, and recycling materials such as copper, aluminium, and plastic to reduce the need for new raw materials in vehicle production.

Leon van der Merwe, TME vice president of Circular Economy said: “We initially anticipate recycling around 10,000 vehicles a year in our UK facility, which will give new life to 120,000 parts, recover 300 tonnes of high-purity plastic and 8,200 tonnes of steel, among other materials. As a next step, we plan to roll out similar operations across Europe. And we’re not stopping at our own facilities – we are eager to collaborate with other organisations who share our passion for circularity and commitment to carbon neutrality.”