821 E Recycling of Materials Instead of Simply Scrapping Vehicles

13.10.2026 Belgium Author: Luc Ophals & Lisa-Maria Heigl, Product Marketing Manager – Scrap & Recycling

End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling with Powerhand: Precise Dismantling with the SENNEBOGEN 821 E

How can end-of-life vehicles be dismantled efficiently while maximizing the recovery of valuable raw materials? Belgian recycling company Recycar has been using a SENNEBOGEN 821 E equipped with the Powerhand system since 2025. The mobile material handler precisely removes vehicle components such as engines, axles and catalytic converters, reducing the need for manual sorting. The machine supports vehicle dismantling operations at the company's sites in Châtelet, Belgium, and Boussois, France. Through its comprehensive recycling process, Recycar achieves a recovery rate of up to 98 percent.

Key Figures at a Glance

Operational Structure	Two locations: Châtelet in Belgium and Auto2000 in Boussois, France
Annual Volume	Approximately 2,500 vehicles in Châtelet and about 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles in Boussois
Daily Throughput	Approximately 50 vehicles per day
Recovery Rate	Up to 98 percent
Maintenance Intervals	Up to 4,000 operating hours

A SENNEBOGEN 821 E equipped with the Powerhand system dismantling stacked end-of-life vehicles on Recycar's premises. — SENNEBOGEN 821 E with the Powerhand system being used to dismantle end-of-life vehicles at the Recycar facility.

What are the requirements for end-of-life vehicle dismantling?

At Recycar, the SENNEBOGEN 821 E uses the Powerhand system to lift vehicle components that have been dismantled from an end-of-life vehicle.

Recycar has specialized in automotive recycling, including the professional depollution and dismantling of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), since 1993 and is part of the Comet Group. At its Châtelet facility in Belgium, the company processes approximately 2,500 vehicles annually. Its French facility, Auto2000 in Boussois, processes an additional 3,000 to 4,000 vehicles.

The recycling process begins with the removal of all operating fluids, as well as batteries, tires, particulate filters, and oil filters. Intact body and mechanical components are resold as used parts. Only then is the depolluted vehicle body sent to the shredder facility in Obourg, where the materials it contains are recovered. Recycar thus achieves a recycling rate of up to 98 percent.

“We go far beyond simply collecting, de-oiling, and dismantling end-of-life vehicles. Within the Comet Group, the vehicles undergo a comprehensive recycling process,” explains Maxime Grosjean, Managing Director of Recycar.

SENNEBOGEN 821 E and Powerhand System as a Solution

To separate materials and components more precisely, Recycar invested in a SENNEBOGEN 821 E through its sales and service partner SMT in 2025. The machine previously used, equipped with a simple grab, was primarily used for loading and unloading. In contrast, the new material handler is directly integrated into the dismantling process, demonstrating the versatility of material handling equipment in scrap recycling.

Equipped with the Powerhand system, the SENNEBOGEN 821 E precisely removes engines, cables, starters, catalytic converters, axles, shock absorbers, and differentials from vehicles. This enables Recycar to selectively separate recyclable components and significantly reduce heavy, time-consuming manual sorting work.

“Our previous machine, equipped with a simple grab, could mainly be used for loading and unloading. With the new SENNEBOGEN, we can selectively separate the recyclable materials from one another,” reports Grosjean.

How does vehicle dismantling work with the Powerhand system?

In the automotive recycling industry, the SENNEBOGEN 821 E with the Powerhand system performs tasks that were previously carried out either manually or with a simple grapple.

The machine makes it possible to selectively remove components such as engines, axles, cables, catalytic converters, and differentials from end-of-life vehicles. This allows different recyclable materials to be separated from one another during the dismantling process and prepared for further recycling. For recycling companies, this means less physically demanding sorting work and a more targeted recovery of recyclable materials.

How does the machine support operations at two locations?

Thanks to its rugged tires, the mobile material handling machine moves flexibly around the facility. In addition to dismantling, the SENNEBOGEN 821 E also loads trucks and semi-trucks. Depending on the volume of vehicles, the machine can be moved between Châtelet and Boussois to wherever it is currently needed.

“Since the machine is mobile, I can easily move it from one location to another depending on deliveries and the number of vehicles. Today, we can process around 50 vehicles per day,” explains Grosjean.

“For Recycar, we were looking for a machine that is powerful, mobile, robust, and at the same time extremely precise...

“…We chose the SENNEBOGEN 821 E with the Powerhand system. It is the first machine of this type in Belgium,”

Dirk Philippe (right)

Account Manager at SMT

Maxime Grosjean of Recycar and Dirk Philippe of SMT in front of the SENNEBOGEN 821 E in action during end-of-life vehicle recycling.

What results does Recycar achieve in its day-to-day operations?

About 50 vehicles per day, a recycling rate of up to 98 percent, and significantly less manual sorting work: Since 2025, the SENNEBOGEN 821 E has been supporting Recycar at full capacity in recovering as much value as possible from every end-of-life vehicle.