Diesel Catalytic Converter Recycling

Catalytic Converters – Platinum & Palladium

• 80% of the world’s supply of palladium (Pd) and 50% of the world’s supply of platinum (Pt) are used in catalytic converters annually.
• Worldwide, catalytic converters require about 12,600,000 oz of Pd and Pt per year to meet the exhaust emission regulations for gasoline.
• A typical auto or light truck catalytic converter contains two to 12 grams of Pd and a similar amount of Pt.
• 27 million catalytic converters become available as scrap per year.
• Currently less than 30% of the Pd & Pt in catalytic converters is recovered.
• A diesel cat wave is coming – as DPF sales began in 2006 and the average recycle age of units is 10+ years.

Current Method To Recover Platinum & Palladium

• The only current commercial method to recover Pd & Pt from catalytic converters is smelting.
• Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC) and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) are difficult to process.
• Smelters worldwide currently have limited capabilities, and they are environmentally hazardous.
• Most smelters and refiners now refuse to accept diesel cat. feedstock due to processing inefficiencies they create.
• Diesel catalytic converter units also can create smelter safety issues, because trapped carbon can ignite, causing an explosion and damage to a furnace.
• Recyclers currently attempt to “mix” catalyst types (gas and diesel) in order to monetize their inventory.
• Smelters are becoming stricter on penalties or outright rejecting batches that contain diesel catalysts.