Quick Takeaways
- Schaeffler AG ReDriveS electric axle drive recycling strengthens Europe’s EV sustainability ecosystem.
- The project focuses on automated, scalable, and non-destructive recycling of electric axle drives.
On 15 January 2026, Schaeffler AG announced its leadership role in the lighthouse project ReDriveS, an initiative designed to establish an industrial, automated, scalable, and non-destructive recycling concept for electric axle drives. The project addresses the growing need for efficient recovery of valuable materials from electric drivetrains.
Project scope and strategic objective of Schaeffler AG ReDriveS electric axle drive recycling
ReDriveS aims to enable compliance with statutory recycling requirements while ensuring cost-effective access to high-value raw materials. A key focus is on securing critical resources such as rare earths, which are essential for electric mobility and increasingly subject to supply constraints in Europe.
Investment scale and collaborative framework
The project represents a significant investment in advanced recycling technology and cross-sector collaboration. It brings together partners from across the value chain to ensure industrial relevance and scalability.
Technology development under the ReDriveS initiative
Running for a planned duration of 36 months, ReDriveS focuses on developing practical solutions that can be deployed in real industrial environments. Core development areas include advanced automation, material recovery, and digital integration.
Key technology pillars include:
Industrial impact and sustainability benefits
The outcomes of ReDriveS are intended for direct implementation in industrial applications, providing OEMs, suppliers, and recyclers with viable recycling solutions. By improving material recovery and reuse, the project contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of electric vehicles in Germany and across Europe while strengthening the resilience of the automotive supply chain.
Project scope and strategic objective of Schaeffler AG ReDriveS electric axle drive recycling
ReDriveS aims to enable compliance with statutory recycling requirements while ensuring cost-effective access to high-value raw materials. A key focus is on securing critical resources such as rare earths, which are essential for electric mobility and increasingly subject to supply constraints in Europe.
Investment scale and collaborative framework
The project represents a significant investment in advanced recycling technology and cross-sector collaboration. It brings together partners from across the value chain to ensure industrial relevance and scalability.
- Total project budget exceeding EUR 25 million
- More than EUR 16 million funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
- Participation of 25 partners from industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, and academia
Technology development under the ReDriveS initiative
Running for a planned duration of 36 months, ReDriveS focuses on developing practical solutions that can be deployed in real industrial environments. Core development areas include advanced automation, material recovery, and digital integration.
Key technology pillars include:
- Robot-guided systems for automated disassembly of electric axle drives
- Recycling processes for rare earth magnets, particularly NdFeB, and other strategic materials
- A digital ecosystem based on digital twins to enable cross-manufacturer data sharing
Industrial impact and sustainability benefits
The outcomes of ReDriveS are intended for direct implementation in industrial applications, providing OEMs, suppliers, and recyclers with viable recycling solutions. By improving material recovery and reuse, the project contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of electric vehicles in Germany and across Europe while strengthening the resilience of the automotive supply chain.
Company Press Release
Click above to visit the official source.
Share: