Converters | Who Buys Old Catalytic

At the top of the supply chain are the recycling refineries. These industrial facilities do not typically buy single units from the public; instead, they deal in bulk shipments from core buyers and scrap networks. Refineries use chemical and thermal processes to decanister the converters, mill the ceramic "honeycomb" into a fine powder, and smelt it to extract pure platinum group metals (PGMs). These refined metals are then sold back to automotive manufacturers or the jewelry and electronics industries.

📢 Due to a significant rise in catalytic converter theft, many regions have implemented strict laws governing who can sell them. In many jurisdictions, buyers are required to verify the seller’s identification, keep detailed transaction records, and sometimes issue payment via check rather than cash to create a paper trail for law enforcement. who buys old catalytic converters

The recycling of old catalytic converters is a multi-billion dollar global industry driven by the high value of the precious metals found inside them. These automotive components, designed to reduce toxic emissions, contain a core coated with platinum, palladium, and rhodium. As a result, a diverse ecosystem of buyers exists to reclaim these materials, ranging from local scrap yards to industrial-scale refineries. 🚗 Local Scrap Yards and Auto Salvage At the top of the supply chain are the recycling refineries