Škoda joins the SATURNIN project: a second life for steel waste
Škoda Auto became a participant in the SATURNIN project aimed at reusing steel waste and supporting the decarbonisation of industry. The essence of the initiative is the exchange of data on metal residues between manufacturers so that they can reuse them. In this way, the need for energy-intensive steel recycling in factories is reduced, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
The move is in line with Next Level - Škoda Strategy 2030, under which the company plans to make all its plants in the Czech Republic and India carbon neutral by the end of the decade.
Here's How It Works
When car bodies are manufactured, there are significant sections of sheet metal left over that can be reused. For example, these are roof parts from cars with panoramic sunroofs or side panels. The SATURNIN project, run by the Czech company Beneva, collects information about such residues and distributes them to manufacturers of smaller components. This turns waste into valuable material, reducing CO₂ emissions and cutting energy costs.
Škoda participates in this process by sourcing leftover metal from models such as the Octavia, Karoq, Kodiaq and Enyaq, and is also looking for ways to reuse other components in co-operation with suppliers.
Other green initiatives
Škoda has a long history of introducing environmental initiatives. Back in 2013, the company launched the GreenFuture programme covering three areas:
- GreenProduct - creating environmentally friendly vehicles with minimal energy consumption and high recyclability
- GreenFactory - resource efficiency in production
- GreenRetail - eco-friendliness of dealerships and service stations.
The company has already achieved carbon-neutral production at the Vrchlab plant, and as of 2020 it has completely eliminated landfilling at all of its plants.
Interestingly, material recycling at Škoda is not just about metal. For example, as part of the Curiosity Fuel project launched last year, the company uses coffee bean husks to tan leather in car seats.
Source: Škoda
