Toyota Motor Europe is investing in a modern 25,000 square meter “Circular Factory” in Wałbrzych, Poland, designed to process approximately 20,000 end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) annually. The facility, announced February 19, 2026, will recover reusable components and materials, including batteries, wheels, copper, steel, aluminum, and plastics, for use in new vehicle production.
The new plant expands Toyota’s commitment to a circular economy model, aiming to reduce waste and maximize the reuse and recycling of materials. Components like batteries and wheels will be assessed for remanufacturing, repurposing, or recycling, while materials such as copper, steel, aluminum, and plastics will be reclaimed for integration into the manufacturing of new vehicles.
The Wałbrzych facility will operate in conjunction with an existing Toyota plant that currently produces key components for both hybrid and conventional powertrains. Leon van der Merwe, Vice President of Circular Economy at Toyota Motor Europe, stated that the location was chosen due to “the strong market potential to source ELVs, well-developed recycling networks and our established manufacturing infrastructure.”
This marks Toyota’s second “circular factory” in Europe, following the opening of a similar facility in Burnaston, United Kingdom, in 2025, which serves as a benchmark for the company’s recycling operations. Van der Merwe indicated that Toyota plans to pursue similar investments in other European markets in the coming years.
According to Toyota, the integration of recycling and manufacturing activities is a growing trend among automotive manufacturers seeking to secure secondary raw material streams and reduce reliance on virgin resources. With approximately 15.6 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles currently on European roads, the company anticipates that structured recovery systems will grow increasingly critical for managing material flows and minimizing environmental impact as these vehicles reach the end of their lifespan.
The Polish project aligns with Toyota’s broader sustainability targets, aiming to lower the carbon footprint of its manufacturing operations. Recycling, the company states, reduces the demand for high-carbon-footprint raw materials and strengthens supply chains.
