Catalyst Scrap (Automotive & Industrial)

Description

1. Product Overview
Catalyst Scrap (Automotive & Industrial) comprises high-value spent catalytic converters and industrial process catalysts containing recoverable Platinum Group Metals (PGMs)—including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. This secondary raw material is essential for precious metal refining, recycling, and metal recovery operations, offering a cost-effective, lower-carbon alternative to primary mining. With tightening global PGM supply chains and volatile virgin metal prices, this scrap represents a strategically critical feedstock for refiners and smelters seeking margin stability and supply security.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Composition: Contains variable concentrations of Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), Rhodium (Rh), plus substrate materials (ceramic cordierite or metallic foil) and washcoat contaminants

• Purity / Grade: Not applicable as virgin metal; sold as “as-is” spent catalyst. PGM grades typically range: Pt (50–1,500 g/t), Pd (100–3,000 g/t), Rh (20–500 g/t) – assay certificate provided per lot

• Physical Characteristics:

  • Form: Crushed or whole monolithic honeycomb (automotive); granular or pelletized (industrial)

  • Color: Light gray to beige/brown (ceramic) or silver-gray (metallic)

  • Particle size: As agreed – standard: 10–50 mm (crushed) or original monolith dimensions

  • Bulk density: 600–900 kg/m³ (ceramic); 1,200–1,800 kg/m³ (metallic)

• Packaging Options: Steel drums (200 L), FIBC bulk bags (1–1.5 MT), or loose container-packed

• Shelf Life: Indefinite when stored dry, away from acids and excessive moisture. No degradation of metal value

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Precious metal refineries, smelters, secondary metal recovery facilities, and PGM traders

• Specific operational use cases:

  • Feedstock for pyrometallurgical smelting (copper or nickel collection) to recover Pt, Pd, Rh

  • Hydrometallurgical leaching and solvent extraction circuits

  • Toll refining arrangements for automotive OEMs and catalyst manufacturers

• Performance advantages over alternatives:
  Lower processing energy vs. primary PGM mining (up to 90% less CO₂ per gram recovered); predictable metal tenor with proper assay; faster payback in smelting due to pre-concentrated values

• Cost advantage: Purchased at a discount to spot PGM prices based on assay minus toll refining fees – enables positive margin for mid-stream processors

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Each shipment is sampled and assayed by ISO 17025-accredited labs; lot integrity maintained via sealed, tamper-evident packaging

• Supply reliability: Direct sourcing from dismantlers, fleet exchanges, and industrial plant turnarounds – minimum annual volume commitment of 200 MT available

• Logistics capability: Global door-to-door delivery with hazardous cargo classification (UN 3288, Class 9) – full compliance with IMDG, IATA, ADR

• Price competitiveness: Transparent pricing formula: [Spot PGMs ($/oz) × metal content (%) × 85–92% payability], less fixed treatment charge. No hidden fees.

• Sustainability: Each transaction provides a Chain of Custody certificate documenting CO₂ savings vs. virgin mining – supports buyer’s ESG and Scope 3 reporting

• Technical support: Free pre-shipment sorting and grade estimation; post-shipment reconciliation with third-party umpire arbitration option

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT (metric tons) per shipment

• Loading capacity: 20–24 MT per standard 20-foot dry container (depending on material density and crushing spec)