Who Buys Old Catalytic Converters | Cross-Platform |

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.

Above the local scrap yard are specialized catalytic converter "core buyers." These companies do not deal in general scrap metal; they focus exclusively on exhaust components. Core buyers often travel to various repair shops and dealerships to purchase large quantities of converters. They use sophisticated databases and handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers to determine the exact precious metal content of a unit, allowing them to offer more competitive and accurate pricing than a general scrapyard. 🧪 Large-Scale Refineries and Processors 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