Auto catalysts recycling industry experts
At Sibanye-Stillwater Recycling operations, we specialize in processing auto catalysts to extract maximum value from these valuable PGM loaded (Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium) substrates.
We are a long-term industry leader and innovator in the recycling and reclamation of auto catalyst from the OEM/aftermarket converter industry, as well as national, regional and local converter recyclers.
A critical recovery opportunity
Sibanye-Stillwater Recycling operations work with OEM/aftermarket catalytic converter operations on a global level from PGM coating to canners, and the major automotive manufacturing companies to responsibly and efficiently process, recycle, and reclaim valuable PGM commodities.
Equally, we support vehicle recyclers, dismantlers, and processors with accurate and transparent recovery solutions where you are working directly with a PGM smelter. As vehicles reach end-of-life, catalytic converter recycling/reclamation represents a critical recovery opportunity.
Technologically advanced processing capabilities
Converter manufacturing scrap streams, converter substrate types and services we process and offer:
- Gasoline and diesel converters (DPFs)
- Ceramic and metallic substrates
- OEM and aftermarket converters
- PGM solution, resin, sludge, filters, and other miscellaneous waste
- Decanning of canned converters
- Global logistic and processing services
Know your metals
The Know your metals resource helps you understand how precious metals are used across industries. Explore each metal’s commercial applications, the types of waste streams it commonly appears in, and the recovery technologies used to reclaim it.
Au
Gold
Ag
Silver
Pt
Platinum
Pd
Palladium
Rh
Rhodium
Ir
Iridium
Gold
Gold is a critical precious metal valued for its excellent conductivity, corrosion resistance, and stability, with extensive use in semiconductor fabrication, electroplating, connector fabrication and assembly, medical device and jewelry manufacturing.
Gold frequently occurs in industrial waste streams such as spent plating solutions, filters, resin, sludges, stamping scrap, contact pins and karat jewelry.
Silver
Silver is a widely used precious metal known for its high electrical conductivity, antimicrobial properties, and reflectivity, making it essential in microelectronics, medical applications, film coating, chemical processing, jewelry manufacturing, electroplating and stamping industries.
Silver-bearing waste streams often include spent plating baths, filters, sludges and stampings.
Explore silver-bearing waste streams:
Platinum
Platinum is a critical precious metal widely used in pharmaceutical catalysts, jewelry manufacturing, automotive catalytic converters, fuel cell/electrolyzer applications, fiberglass manufacturing, and the aircraft/aerospace, microelectronics and medical industries.
Due to its chemical stability and catalytic properties, platinum frequently appears in industrial waste streams such as spent catalyst, acidic process solutions, plating baths, filter media, implantable medical components, fiberglass bushings and refractory, fuel cell MEAs, thermocouple wire, machining kerf, shavings and turnings.
Explore platinum-bearing waste streams:
- Jewellery manufacture
- Discarded electronic devices and electronics manufacturing
- Electroplating operations
- Medical device manufacturing and healthcare operations
- Defense manufacturing and maintenance operations
- Glass manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals manufacture
- Industrial catalysts
- Automotive catalytic converters
- Nitric acid manufacture
Palladium
Palladium is a precious metal widely used in automotive catalytic converters, specialty chemical catalyst, conductive pastes, microelectronics/ceramic capacitors.
Owing to its excellent catalytic performance and electrical conductivity, palladium is commonly found in industrial waste streams such as spent catalysts, sludges, filter media, fired/green ceramic, thick film wipes & jars, canned/decanned catalytic converters and spent environmental catalysts.
Explore palladium-bearing waste streams:
- Jewellery manufacture
- Discarded electronic devices and electronics manufacturing
- Electroplating operations
- Medical device manufacturing and healthcare operations
- Defense manufacturing and maintenance operations
- Pharmaceuticals manufacture
- Industrial catalysts
- Automotive catalytic converters
- Nitric acid manufacture
Rhodium
Rhodium is a rare and valuable precious metal primarily used in automotive catalytic converters, chemical catalysts, fiberglass manufacturing, and plating industries.
Its high reflectivity and resistance to corrosion result in rhodium being found in waste streams including catalytic converters, spent plating baths, filters, fiberglass bushings and refractory.
Explore rhodium-bearing waste streams:
Iridium
Iridium is an extremely durable and corrosion-resistant precious metal used in chemical processing equipment, fuel cell manufacturing, specialty catalyst, and medical devices.
Due to its use in high-temperature and highly corrosive environments, iridium is commonly found in waste streams including electrolyzer scrap, spent coating solutions, spent catalyst and filters, medical device components such as electrodes, marker bands and cath tips.
Explore iridium-bearing waste streams:
Integrated processing across departments
Recovering PGMs from auto catalysts manufacturing and recycling centers supports circular supply chains, environmental initiatives, and delivers strong financial returns. Sibanye-Stillwater Recycling operations are your specialized experts in maximizing financial value, geographical scope, and environmental stewardship of your auto catalyst substrates and manufacturing scrap.
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Mechanical reduction
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Thermal reduction
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Wet chemistry
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Precious metal melt
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Electronic material classification
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Auto catalyst recycling
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Bead blasting
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Cleaning & recovery
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Granulation
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Transportation & logistics
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Analytical laboratory
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Partner with Sibanye-Stillwater recycling operations
We support OEMs, converter buyers, and recycling partners with customized catalytic converter programs aligned to business and sustainability goals. Our experienced teams collaborate closely with customers to maximize PGM recovery, ensure compliance, and convert converter material into measurable value.
