A Valuable Resource
The catalytic converter in your car is critical to reducing harmful emissions, but once it is used up, it becomes a very important resource in metal recycling. Catalyst scrap is highly sought after because of the unique content.
What makes catalyst scrap valuable?
The operation of the catalyst is based on converting toxic exhaust gases (such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons) into less hazardous substances. This is made possible by an internal, honeycomb, ceramic or metallic substrate coated with bullion:
- Platinum (Pt)
- Palladium (Pd)
- Rhodium (Rh)
These three metals are rare, have high daily rates, and are expensive to extract from the Earth's crust. The amount of these metals varies depending on the catalyst model, which is why the price of scrap catalysts varies widely.
Why is recycling important?
- Economic Gain: Thanks to the precious metals, both individuals and companies that sell their end-of-life catalysts often receive a good remuneration.
- Environmental benefits: Recycling the metals from scrapped catalysts requires significantly less energy than mining new raw material. It reduces the need for mining and helps conserve natural resources.
- Sustainable Management: Recycling ensures that hazardous substances are handled responsibly and that the valuable metals are returned to the cycle for use in new products.
The process for recycling often involves grinding the ceramic material (the monolith) down to powder, analyzed for its exact metal content, and then sent to specialized refineries to extract the pure precious metals.