The vehicle, based on the eEconic battery electric waste collection truck from Mercedes-Benz Trucks, developed in collaboration with more than 30 partners, showcases how materials can be kept in closed loops while meeting demanding safety, quality and performance requirements.
For the reECONIC project, Hydro supplied 31 different extruded parts totaling 600 kilos. All the profiles are made from Hydro CIRCAL, Hydro’s range of recycled aluminium with one of the world’s lowest carbon footprints and a minimum 75 percent post-consumer scrap content. The aluminium components are used in structural and safety critical applications, proving that high recycled content aluminium can support advanced vehicle design while significantly reducing the carbon footprint of materials.
The Hydro CIRCAL billets used in this project were produced at Hydro’s recycling facility in Ghlin, Belgium, with the profiles extruded, machined, and anodized at Hydro’s extrusion sites in Harderwijk, Netherlands and Trzcianka, Poland. Produced in Europe, this strengthens supply chain resilience and further reduces environmental impact.
“The reECONIC project shows how circular design and low-carbon materials can go hand in hand. By delivering extruded profiles made from Hydro CIRCAL, we are transforming end of life aluminium scrap into high performance components for the next generation of electric vehicles. This is a concrete example of how circular aluminium solutions can help decarbonize mobility,” says Paul Warton, Executive Vice President of Hydro Extrusions.
The reECONIC is based on the Mercedes-Benz eEconic and applies circular thinking across the value chain, from material sourcing and manufacturing to recyclability at end of life. Aluminium plays a key role in this approach, as it can be recycled repeatedly without loss of properties.
Hydro CIRCAL: Turning scrap into high value vehicle components
Hydro CIRCAL is produced using post consumer aluminium scrap, such as end of life automotive parts and building materials, and enables customers to cut emissions while maintaining full design flexibility. With a certified carbon footprint as low as 1.9 kg CO₂ per kg aluminium, Hydro CIRCAL supports manufacturers in reducing the environmental impact of their products already at the material stage.
“Sustainability is an integral part of our strategy, which we are implementing in this project alongside strong partners. We are pursuing the clear goal of decarbonizing our products. With the reECONIC, we are demonstrating a concrete path toward a more sustainable value chain in vehicle production,” says Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
By supplying recycled aluminium extrusions to the reECONIC, Hydro demonstrates how aluminium can remain in continuous circulation, supporting long-term resource efficiency and more resilient European value chains.
From exhibition to industry showcase
The complete reECONIC vehicle is being exhibited at IFAT in Munich, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies, where visitors can see how recycled, natural and bio based materials are applied across the vehicle. In addition, a separate reECONIC driver’s cab, built for development purposes, is displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Trucks booth, highlighting key materials and components through cross sections and digital information.
Hydro will further highlight its contribution to the reECONIC project and its broader portfolio of circular aluminium solutions at ALUFAIR 2026 in Dusseldorf in October, demonstrating how low-carbon aluminium can enable circular manufacturing across industries, from mobility to building and construction.
About reECONIC
The reECONIC is an electric battery powered waste collection truck from Mercedes‑Benz Trucks, developed with more than 30 partners to demonstrate circular vehicle manufacturing. Based on the Mercedes‑Benz eEconic, the project applies circular thinking from material sourcing to end of life recyclability, with recycled aluminium playing a key role in reducing emissions while meeting demanding performance requirements.
Published: April 28, 2026
