Scrap Catalytic Converters

Scrap Catalytic Converters & DPFs – Sell to Top UK Buyers on ScrapCompare

Welcome to [Your Platform Name], the UK’s premier online marketplace for selling scrap catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters (DPFs), and catalytic converter dust. Whether you’re a scrap breaker, metal yard, garage, or individual, our platform connects you with verified UK buyers offering competitive prices for honeycomb catalytic converters, metallic foil catalytic converters, DPFs, aftermarket converters, and dust samples. Turn your scrap into cash, streamline your sales, and support sustainable recycling with our trusted, user-friendly platform.

What Are Catalytic Converters?

Catalytic converters are essential vehicle components designed to reduce harmful emissions from petrol and diesel engines. Located in the exhaust system, they use precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium to catalyse chemical reactions that convert toxic gases—such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbons (HC)—into less harmful substances like carbon dioxide, water vapour, and nitrogen. The converter’s core, either a ceramic honeycomb or metallic foil, is coated with these valuable metals, making scrap converters and their dust highly sought-after for recycling.

• Why Scrap Them? Even damaged, non-functional converters, or their dust retain significant value due to their precious metal content, with prices ranging from a few pounds to hundreds or more, depending on type and market conditions.
• Who Sells Them? Scrap breakers, metal yards, garages, and individuals with used converters, dust, or DPFs from vehicle repairs, MOT failures, or scrapped cars.

What Are Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs)?

Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) are emission-control devices in diesel vehicles, designed to capture soot and particulate matter to comply with strict UK emissions standards (e.g., Euro 5 and 6). Made from ceramic materials like cordierite or silicon carbide, some DPFs contain trace amounts of precious metals, increasing their scrap value when clogged or non-functional.

• Why Scrap Them? Non-working DPFs can be recycled for significant returns, with values depending on the vehicle make, model, and metal content.
• Who Sells Them? Garages replacing DPFs, scrap yards handling diesel vehicles, and individuals with old or replaced units.

How Much Are Scrap Catalytic Converters Worth?

The value of scrap catalytic converters, DPFs, and catalytic converter dust varies based on several factors, including the type of material, vehicle make and model, condition, and market prices for precious metals (platinum, palladium, rhodium) on the London Metal Exchange (LME). Most buyers on our platform use digital catalogues from refiners (not publicly available) to determine pricing for full units based on serial numbers and vehicle details, ensuring accurate valuations. For dust samples (from crushed or processed converters), buyers may use XRF testing to analyse precious metal content precisely. Below is a breakdown of typical price ranges:

• Honeycomb Catalytic Converters (Ceramic Monolith):
  • Value: Typically £50–£1,000+ per unit.
  • Factors: High-value units often come from premium vehicles (e.g., BMW, Mercedes, Toyota) or large “torpedo” converters (e.g., Ford models). The ceramic core’s precious metal content, especially rhodium, drives higher prices. Buyers rely on refiner catalogues for pricing.
  • Example: A converter from a luxury saloon or hybrid like a Toyota Prius may fetch top prices, while standard units from smaller cars are lower but still valuable.
• Metallic Foil Catalytic Converters:
  • Value: Typically £20–£500 per unit.
  • Factors: Found in high-performance vehicles or trucks, these have lower precious metal content than ceramic units but are durable. Damaged cores may reduce value. Catalogues guide pricing.
  • Example: A metallic foil cat from a sports car or heavy-duty vehicle might command a higher price, while worn units fetch less.
• Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs):
  • Value: Typically £20–£700 per unit.
  • Factors: DPFs from premium diesel vehicles (e.g., Audi, Volkswagen) with trace precious metals are more valuable. Serial numbers and vehicle details, matched against refiner catalogues, determine pricing.
  • Example: A DPF from a modern diesel SUV might fetch a premium, while older units with minimal metal content have lower value.
• Aftermarket Catalytic Converters:
  • Value: Typically £2–£8 per unit.
  • Factors: Non-OEM units have minimal precious metal content, making them less valuable, but buyers accept them for recycling. Catalogues provide baseline pricing.
  • Example: An aftermarket “Euro Cat” from a budget replacement is low-value but still recyclable.
• Catalytic Converter Dust:
  • Value: Varies widely, often requiring XRF testing to determine precious metal content.
  • Factors: Dust from crushed ceramic cores may contain significant platinum, palladium, or rhodium, but accurate valuation depends on XRF analysis by specialist buyers or refiners.
  • Example: Dust from high-rhodium converters can be highly valuable, but buyers need to test samples to confirm content.

Factors Affecting Scrap Value:

• Precious Metal Market: Daily fluctuations in LME prices for platinum, palladium, and rhodium impact payouts, with rhodium often being the most valuable.
• Vehicle Make/Model: Converters from luxury, hybrid, or high-performance vehicles typically contain more precious metals and fetch higher prices.
• Condition: Intact honeycomb or foil cores are worth more than damaged or tampered units. Dust requires XRF testing for valuation. Buyers reject converters with removed cores.
• Quantity: Bulk sellers (e.g., scrap yards with 10+ units) often secure better rates and free collection.
• Market Demand: Growing recycling volumes, driven by UK emissions regulations and sustainability goals, ensure consistent demand for scrap converters and dust.

Why Use [Your Platform Name]? Our buyers provide instant quotes based on serial numbers, photos, or vehicle details, using refiner catalogues for full units and XRF testing for dust samples. List your scrap or dust today to compare offers and maximise your return!

What Happens During the Recycling Process?

Recycling scrap catalytic converters, DPFs, and catalytic converter dust is a specialised process that recovers valuable precious metals while ensuring environmental compliance. When you sell through [Your Platform Name], our buyers follow these steps to process your scrap responsibly:

1. Collection and Initial Assessment:
   • Buyers collect your honeycomb catalytic converters, metallic foil catalytic converters, DPFs, aftermarket converters, or dust samples or accept drop-offs at their licensed facilities.
   • Full units are identified by serial numbers or vehicle details and cross-referenced with digital refiner catalogues for pricing. Dust samples are flagged for XRF testing.
2. Decanning (For Full Units):
   • The outer steel casing of converters or DPFs is removed to access the inner core (ceramic honeycomb, metallic foil, or DPF ceramic).
   • This process preserves the valuable core material for further processing.
3. Grinding and Sampling:
   • Ceramic honeycomb cores or DPFs are crushed into a fine powder (dust), while metallic foil cores are processed separately.
   • For full units, samples are taken to estimate precious metal content, often using refiner catalogues for initial pricing.
   • Dust samples provided by sellers are directly tested using XRF analysis by specialist buyers or refiners to determine platinum, palladium, and rhodium content accurately.
4. Smelting and Refining:
   • Processed material (crushed cores or dust) is smelted at high temperatures in specialised refineries to separate precious metals from ceramic or metal substrates.
   • Advanced chemical processes refine the metals to high purity, ready for reuse in industries like automotive manufacturing, electronics, or jewellery.
5. Environmental Compliance:
   • Non-metal waste (e.g., steel casings, ceramic residues) is recycled or disposed of according to Environment Agency regulations.
   • Buyers ensure no hazardous materials enter landfills, supporting a circular economy.
6. Payment to Sellers:
   • For full units, payouts are calculated using refiner catalogues and current LME prices. For dust samples, XRF test results determine the final value.
   • Payments are processed via secure bank transfer, per the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, with transparent documentation for traceability.

Why It Matters: Recycling recovers finite resources, reduces the environmental impact of mining, and supports UK emissions goals. By listing on [Your Platform Name], you connect with buyers who prioritise sustainable practices and offer competitive prices based on accurate valuations.