Circular products
We are aware of the value and scarcity of the materials we use to build trucks. We aim to minimize the volume of materials required, select non-critical materials where possible, and increase the recycled content and recyclability of our trucks, parts, and components.
For DAF increasing circurlarity means to:
- Refuse unnecessary use of raw materials;
- Reduce the raw materials used;
- Reuse (remanufacture, repurpose) items at the end of their ‘first life’;
- Recycle to recover material;
- Only if reuse or recycling is not possible: waste disposal (possibly with energy recovery).
Eco-design
Next to Life Cycle Assessments, we use Eco-design in our product development process to integrate environmental considerations into the design and development of products.
Examples are in the development of our trucks’ aerodynamics. By optimizing the shape of our vehicles, we can significantly reduce drag, leading to improved fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. When designing new products of components, our engineers are supported by the Eco-design tool, proposing and evaluating durable and sustainable options and materials with lowest environmental impact.
By collaborating with stakeholders, we aim to identify innovative solutions that enhance sustainability without compromising quality, performance, or total cost of ownership.
50 years of DAF remanufacturing
In 2024, DAF celebrated 50 years of parts remanufacturing. By harvesting driveline, brake system and electronical components from the market, we bring them back to ‘as-new’ condition with same quality standard as buying brand-new parts. This offers customers a high quality, cost effective and foremost sustainable alternative.
In 2024, the DAF remanufacturing program achieved a return rate of over 85%, which translates in over 450,000 components. Studies are ongoing to investigate remanufacturing opportunities for electric driveline components, such as batteries and e-motors.
Product life cycle
Circularity through recycling and recovery is an important focus for DAF. This includes the use of renewable materials, such as remelted steel and glass, and the application of alternative, renewable fuels. Based on the LCA analysis, on average, a DAF truck contains around 35% of recycled material—mainly driven by the metal types in the heavier parts. DAF is increasing its efforts to incorporate more and more recycled materials, such as metals, plastics, and textiles. Over 90% of the materials is recyclable after end of life; over 95% recoverable.
Future possibilities studied by DAF, include plastics derived from biological sources, and recycling plastics by using techniques such as pyrolysis to create new feedstocks.
**Definitions: see ISO 22628 "Road Vehicles - Recyclability and recoverability - Calculation Method" and Directive 2000/53/EG on end-of life vehicles
Recyclability: Ability of component parts, materials or both that can be diverted from an end-of-life stream to be recycled.
Recycling: Reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, excluding processing as a means of generating energy.
Recoverability: Ability of component parts, materials or both that can be diverted from an end-of-life stream to be recovered.
Recovery: Reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes, together with processing as a means of generating energy.
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