The market for old catalytic converters will not be going away while the demand for platinum, palladium, and rhodium is there. So, those platinum group metals (PGMs) are the key to demand for these emission control devices. That does not mean all converters are equal, of course. Age, model of car, and converter design all influence the amount of precious metals in them, which affects their value in the recycling market. These parts contain other assorted metals that have some scrap value, but PGMs drive the market prices. If you have any interest in how to recycle a catalytic converter for a decent price, this post offers some advice. But, first, let’s look at the prices of converters.
Converters 101
A catalytic converter uses chemical reactions to convert exhaust gases and particulate matter into water vapor and carbon dioxide. They work because metals contained inside the converter promote chemical reactions that would not happen under normal conditions. A catalytic converter works best when hot; a fact that is important to keep in mind.
Hybrid cars have more PGM content because they are slow to heat up. Less heat energy means that the converter needs more of those catalysts to clean the exhaust effectively. While most any catalytic converter with a little platinum or palladium in it will work, this is not important. What really matters is whether the device complies with federal emission control rules. Achieving compliance in a hybrid vehicle takes more PGMs.
Older catalytic converters, from the 1970s and early 1980s, are usually a bit more valuable because they contain more PGMs. The newer models tend to have between 7 and 16 grams, just under a quarter ounce to just over half an ounce. That will be a mix of platinum, palladium, and (usually) rhodium. Aftermarket parts may also be worth less than the original factory-fitted catalytic converter.
Bear in mind that diesel trucks, boat engines, and generators sometimes have catalytic converters. While diesel converters work differently, they still have scrap value, and they still use PGMs. However, most converters the average recycler or scrap yard owner encounters will come from cars and gasoline-powered light trucks. Of course, people rarely have any control over what catalytic converters they acquire. If you collect them and store them for recycling, a mobile app like Belanger’s Group Catalyst app will make it much easier to get the latest prices and manage your inventory.
The Most Valuable Converters
If scrap values vary so much, the cost of a new converter should also vary quite a bit. That is true. The cost of a new catalytic converter depends very much on what car it is made for. For example, an article published in 2021 lists these vehicles as having the most valuable converters:
Ferrari F430 ($3,770)
Dodge Ram 2500 ($3,460)
Lamborghini Aventador ($3,120)
Ford F-250 ($2,804)
Ford Mustang ($1,500)
Those are approximate retail prices, though some online sources will list those prices as the scrap value of the part. In general, the larger the engine, the more the converter will cost. Some vehicles need two, the Aventador and F-430 for example. That is the top 5 in terms of the retail price. What about scrap value? Naturally, the value varies quite a bit just like it does with new parts.
Scrap Value Varies with PGM Content
Logic suggests that the most expensive catalytic converters are worth the most to recyclers. Of course, the scrap value is never as high as the retail price of a new part, but some old catalytic converters are still worth scrapping. This is probably true but bear in mind those values also vary wildly. Aftermarket parts tend to be worth less, well under $100. However, some newer cars have converters worth over $1,000 as scrap. If you do a bit of research on Google, you will find a wide range of prices for converters from a particular model, or parts for a type of vehicle, like GMC trucks.
Back in March of 2022, large converters for GM vehicles were going for $170 to $300, with $200 to $230 being more common. Ford car and truck converters are probably going to fetch similar prices. Though that price range would change if PGMs increase or decrease in market value. The same is true for any other converters. In 2021, the scrap price for a Toyota Prius converter edged past $1,000, probably because this hybrid car needs more PGM content in the converter to meet emission standards. Converters from other Toyota models have sold for $130 to $220.
You Can Recycle Your Catalytic Converter Inventory Easily
Scrap values depend heavily on the market price for PGMs and the amount of precious metal in the part. Therefore, prices can vary from well under $100 to over $1,000 for certain models, with hybrid and large vehicle converters generally worth more. If you want to recycle a catalytic converter or a few hundred, the Group Catalyst app for iOS and Android devices will help. Use it for up-to-date prices, create an inventory in PDF form, generate an invoice, and more.
Comments