Catalytic converter recycling (katalysaattorikierrätys) is the process of extracting precious metals from old or used catalytic converters. These converters, found in nearly every vehicle, contain valuable materials such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which can be recycled and repurposed for various industries.
Recycling catalytic converters is essential for several reasons:
Used catalytic converters are collected from various sources, including auto repair shops, scrapyards, and individual sellers.
The collected converters are sorted based on their type, make, and model. Higher-end models with larger amounts of precious metals are more valuable.
The ceramic core of the catalytic converter is removed, and precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium are extracted using specialized refining techniques.
Once the metals are extracted and refined, they are weighed and processed. The seller is then paid according to the current market price of the metals contained in the converter.