Vertical integration and lower margins

Spent autocatalyst recycling operates on an international scale. The autocatalyst recycling industry has changed measurably over the last decade, having undergone a period of aggressive global expansion. Some refineries have expanded their presence in the recycling market, integrating up the value chain, whilst an increased realisation of the contained value of catalytic converters since metal prices spiked in the past has meant that operating margins have narrowed along the value chain and existing players have had to adapt, innovate and integrate to survive. PGM recycling volumes consider vehicle production, sales, trade, age distribution, collector locations and vehicle parc, and an understanding of historical, regional catalyst introduction and associated changes in loadings. Our analysis has enabled us to define, by region, the existing and potential future volumes of platinum, palladium and rhodium for recycling and recovery.