Autovergabe Franken GmbH

On April 1, 1998, in time for the end-of-life vehicle regulations to come into force, Autoverwertung Franken AVF GmbH started operations in Schwabach (Kiefernschlag 22). It is not only one of the most modern recycling companies, it also implements a concept in an exemplary manner, which Bavaria's Prime Minister Edmund Stoiber put in a government declaration under the motto 'Offensive Future Bavaria': The combination of economy and ecology.

AVF GmbH relies on the highest possible recycling of an old car. The aim is dismantling that is ecologically sensible and also economical. There should be no 'down recycling' at any price. But one wants to start where it is actually possible to return materials to the economic cycle. 'Our removed bumpers actually end up as wheel arch liners in new vehicles!' explains managing director Horvath. For this purpose, a graduate student was commissioned to investigate how the greatest possible recycling of car parts with economically feasible specifications can be implemented in the overall entrepreneurial concept.

When dismantling end-of-life vehicles, the most modern approaches are used: the petrol is pumped out of the tanks and, after filtering, sold on at the in-house petrol station. The coolants are treated in our own processing plant and also resold.

The usable parts from the dismantled cars are recorded by IT and stored in a large parts warehouse. It is also possible to separate tailor-made parts from car bodies and use them for accident repairs.

For do-it-yourself hobbyists, there is the possibility of cannibalizing cars themselves and installing the parts in their own vehicle. A master mechanic is on hand with help and advice.

The main shareholder of AVF, the Schwabach waste disposal company Bonn, has invested over 4 million euros in order to be able to act economically and environmentally friendly at the same time. It began with the choice of location: Bonn's car barn is on a former waste tire dump. What experts thought was hardly feasible has actually been achieved: A two-meter-thick static mat was installed on the entire commercial area, which guarantees the stability of the building.

The use of environmentally incompatible substances was deliberately avoided. The entire, approx. 3000 cbm, partly multi-storey building is constructed of wood. The interior cladding and the exterior facade are made of untreated natural wood, as are the windows and doors.