The transition to a circular economy is a strategic priority for automotive suppliers. These companies are already actively advancing solutions that improve resource efficiency, enhance supply chain resilience, and contribute to climate objectives. Through innovation in materials, design, remanufacturing, and recycling, suppliers are embedding circularity across increasingly complex value chains.
Measuring and demonstrating circular performance in the automotive supply industry remains challenging: long product lifecycles, diverse material compositions, global production networks, and stringent safety and regulatory requirements require robust, sector-specific approaches to assessment that reflect operational realities.
While a growing number of circular economy frameworks and indicators are being developed at EU and international level, few are sufficiently aligned with the specific characteristics of automotive components and supplier activities. Greater harmonisation and relevance would further support comparability, transparency, and constructive dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders.
This roadmap reviews existing circular economy frameworks and performance indicators from the perspective of automotive suppliers. It evaluates their maturity, applicability, and relevance, and highlights opportunities to further strengthen design for circularity and credible performance measurement across the automotive value chain.
“Circularity is embedded in the DNA of the automotive supply industry. Suppliers are already delivering significant results and continuously raising the bar. However, a coherent approach to measuring circularity is essential to turning ambition into action. By establishing clear, sector-relevant indicators, automotive suppliers can drive responsible innovation, track progress, and make a meaningful contribution to the EU’s circular economy goals.”
– Benjamin Krieger, CLEPA Secretary General.
What does this publication bring?
- Provides an overview of key circularity metrics
- Enables alignment and trust across the value chain
- Sets a basis of parameters to advance overall performance
This publication was developed by CLEPA’s R&I Advanced Materials and Circular Economy Expert Group.
