Platinum Group Metals (PGM) and Recycling
Platinum group metals (PGM) are, platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), iridium (Ir), rhodium (Rh), osmium (Os) and ruthenium (Ru). These metals uses in many areas of the industry.
Platinum Group Metals Features
Platinum group metals have a different place than other metals due to their superior physical and chemical properties. They are also used in industry because of their catalyst feature. PGMs are refractory and have a wide material equality and are not chemically affected even at high temperatures.
Usage Areas of PGMs
Platinum group metals are used in jewelry manufacturing. Especially platinum, rhodium, iridium are popular in the field of jewelry. It also receives high demand from the watch manufacturing industry.
The most important feature of PGM is that it is a catalyst. Due to its catalyst feature, they are demanded by the petrochemical industry. The biggest demand comes from automotive manufacturers. Platinum, palladium and rhodium are uses in the catalytic converter system to minimize exhaust emissions in the automotive industry.
Platinum group metal alloys are used to make electrical contacts, electrodes, thermocouples and circuits.
Iridium and platinum are uses in medical implants, cancer therapy and pacemaker manufacturing. They (platinum and palladium) are indispensable for the dental industry.
Platinum, rhodium and iridium are important for the production of crucibles, single crystal glass and ceramics.
Platinum Group Metals Resources
Russia has the world’s leading PGM deposits. Also there are important mines belonging to platinum group mines in South Africa, North America and Canada.
Platinum Group Metal Recycling
Due to the low availability of PGMs and high demand from the industry, their prices are constantly increasing. Recycling of these metals is very important because of high economic value. Recycling facilities are established in many countries of the world. The main raw material of these plants are catalytic converters. Platinum, palladium and rhodium are recycled by catalytic converter recycling. Proses Makina has established catalytic convector recycling facilities in many countries of the world.