Platinum Group Metals, Grade Information
Catalytic Converters
Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium, among the rarest and most valuable metals on Earth. Priced per unit, not per tonne.
Periodic Table Position
History & Interesting Facts
Catalytic converters were developed in response to the US Clean Air Act of 1970, which mandated dramatic reductions in vehicle exhaust pollutants. Engelhard Corporation and other chemical companies worked with automakers to develop a device that could catalytically oxidise harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, and reduce nitrogen oxides, in exhaust gas. The first catalytic converters used oxidation catalysts only and required unleaded petrol, which is why leaded petrol was phased out in the UK in the 1990s (lead poisons the platinum catalyst). Three-way catalytic converters, capable of simultaneously treating CO, hydrocarbons, and NOx, were developed in the late 1970s and became mandatory in the US in 1981 and progressively in Europe from the 1990s. Every petrol car sold in the UK since 1993 has been fitted with a catalytic converter. Diesel vehicles use catalytic converters in combination with diesel particulate filters from 2001 onward.
Historical Uses
Catalytic converters have had a single primary application since their invention: reducing harmful tailpipe emissions from internal combustion vehicles. Their impact on urban air quality has been transformative, cities that previously suffered from heavy photochemical smog (Los Angeles being the most famous example) experienced dramatic improvements in air quality following mandatory fitment. Platinum group metals were used in industrial chemical processes (particularly nitric acid and sulphuric acid production) before their automotive application, but the automotive sector now accounts for approximately 50% of global platinum demand and over 80% of global palladium demand. Rhodium, the rarest of the three PGMs, is used almost entirely in catalytic converters. The automotive catalytic converter represents the largest-scale commercial application of any precious metal group.
Current Uses
Scrap catalytic converters are one of the highest-value automotive scrap items, priced per unit based on the precious metal content of the ceramic or metallic substrate inside. Every end-of-life petrol vehicle contains a catalytic converter with recoverable PGM content, typically 1–7 grams of platinum, palladium, and rhodium combined, though the precise amounts vary enormously by vehicle make, model, year, and engine size. The refining of PGMs from spent catalytic converters is a specialised industry dominated by companies including Johnson Matthey (UK), BASF, and Umicore. The recovered platinum, palladium, and rhodium are sold into the PGM market for re-use in new catalysts, jewellery, and industrial applications. Catalytic converter theft has been a significant criminal problem in the UK, reflecting their high value, hybrid vehicles have particularly valuable converters as they operate at lower temperatures, preserving PGM content.
Future Possible Uses
Catalytic converters for internal combustion vehicles will inevitably decline as the EV transition progresses, since battery electric vehicles have no exhaust system and require no exhaust catalyst. However, this is a long-term transition, the global petrol and diesel fleet will require catalytic converters for at least 15–20 years. In the nearer term, fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) use platinum as the catalyst in their hydrogen fuel cell stack, potentially creating a new and large demand for platinum that could partially offset the decline in autocatalyst use. Green hydrogen production using PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolysers also uses platinum and iridium catalysts. Chemical industry catalysts (for fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and fertiliser production) provide ongoing PGM demand. The long-term PGM market will be shaped by the competing forces of autocatalyst decline and fuel cell growth.
Where Does This Scrap Come From?
Catalytic converters arrive at scrap yards from vehicle dismantlers processing end-of-life vehicles, garages and exhaust fitting centres replacing failed catalysts, individual motorists removing cats from vehicles they are scrapping, and occasionally from the illegal trade (stolen converters, buying stolen cats carries severe legal risk and scrap dealers are required to record all purchases under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013). Authorised treatment facilities (ATFs) processing end-of-life vehicles must decontaminate vehicles before crushing, which includes removing catalytic converters for specialist recycling. Different vehicle makes, models, and engine sizes have very different PGM content, so professional buyers use assay databases and XRF testing to determine accurate pricing. QuickStop prices catalytic converters per unit, always call ahead for a quote on significant quantities.
How Is It Remanufactured?
Catalytic converter recycling is a highly specialised, capital-intensive process. The steel or stainless shell is cut open to remove the ceramic (cordierite) or metallic (FeCrAl foil) honeycomb substrate. The substrate is de-canned and crushed into a fine powder. This "spent catalyst powder" is assayed to determine PGM content by mass spectrometry or ICP analysis. The material is then processed through a pyrometallurgical (high-temperature smelting) or hydrometallurgical (acid leaching) refining process to selectively dissolve and recover the platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The refining process requires highly specialised equipment and expertise, a small number of global facilities (principally in the UK, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, and Japan) process the majority of the world's spent autocatalysts. Recovered PGMs are re-sold into the PGM market at bullion prices, entering a circular loop back into new catalysts or industrial applications.
5-Year Price Trend & Forecast
Catalytic converter values have been highly volatile over the 2021–2026 period, primarily driven by palladium and rhodium price swings. Palladium reached an all-time high of approximately $3,000/troy ounce in early 2022, driven by supply disruptions from Russia (a major PGM producer) and strong demand from petrol car catalyst applications. Rhodium briefly exceeded $29,000/troy ounce in early 2021, one of the most dramatic commodity price spikes in history. Both metals subsequently fell significantly as demand moderated and supply recovered, palladium retreated to around $900–1,100/ounce by 2025, and rhodium to approximately $4,000–6,000/ounce. Platinum, which had lagged palladium, has seen renewed interest as fuel cell demand grows. As a result, catalytic converter scrap prices at UK yards have declined significantly from 2021 highs but remain substantially above 2018–2019 levels. Always call QuickStop for the most current per-unit quote.
Note: All scrap yard prices paid by QuickStop Metals are calculated as a percentage of the prevailing LME or spot market price, updated daily. Check today's prices →
Ready to sell your Catalytic Converters?
Drive straight in to any of our three depots. No appointment needed, same day payment.
Ready to sell or have a question?