Catalytic Converter Recycling Basics

Catalytic converters were installed on most vehicles that were built after 1975. Catalytic converters are the most important pollution control device in an automobile exhaust system, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Catalytic converters use rare metals that are classified as platinum group metals. Platinum group metals are rare earth metals that naturally occur with platinum ore deposits.

Catalytic Converter Function

• Catalytic converters change harmful chemicals in auto exhaust to nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. The EPA reports that there are three different styles of catalytic converters: oxidation converters--reduce hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO)--three-way converters--reduce HC, CO and nitrogen oxides (NOx)--and three-way-plus-oxidation converters--reduce HC, CO and NOx and contain oxygen to assist in chemical reactions.

Why Recycle Catalytic Converters?

• Catalytic converters contain precious metals that are formed into honeycomb bricks with many small passages. As auto exhaust is forced through the catalytic converter, the precious metals inside the converter honeycomb bricks convert large portions of dangerous exhaust particles into less dangerous chemical components and new chemical combinations. These rare metals are recycled and reused in new converters. Recycling these metals is far less expensive than mining and refining them.

Catalytic Converter Platinum Group Metals

• Platinum, palladium and rhodium are all important in the production and operation of catalytic converters. Precious metal recycler Integrated Recycling Technologies states that, “platinum, palladium and rhodium are crucial for the automotive and catalyst industry.” Platinum and palladium are used to convert HC and CO, and rhodium assists in NOx conversion.

Catalytic Converter Recycling Business

• The automotive and catalytic converter industries rely heavily on catalytic converter recyclers to provide the majority of the necessary rare metals needed in the production of catalytic converters. There are many metal recycling companies and catalytic converter recyclers that purchase old, worn-out catalytic converters to collect the raw materials trapped within.

Recycled Converter Material Use

• The platinum, palladium and rhodium extracted from old catalytic converters are usually refined for use in new catalytic converters. Some of the platinum and palladium may also end up as wedding bands or other jewelry. Rhodium is commonly electroplated onto white gold and platinum to render these dull metals shiny.