Autocatalysts: Feedstocks
Why precious metals are most of the material cost
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.PGMs are more than 80% of the material cost of a typical autocatalyst (indicative), so metal choice is the main design variable. Carmakers move between palladium and platinum as their prices cross. Ceria, zirconia, alumina and zeolite washcoats and cordierite substrates are the rest.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pd Palladium | about 256 t a year for vehicles (2025) | oxidation in petrol catalysts | largest metal by mass | JM PGM Market Report 2026 |
| Pt Platinum | about 95 t a year (3,039 koz, 2025) | diesel oxidation; substitute for palladium | large | WPIC Platinum Quarterly Q2 2026 |
| Rh Rhodium | about 28 t a year (899 koz, 2025) | NOx reduction | large per gram | JM PGM Market Report 2026 |
| REE Rare earths | about 60% of cerium use goes to autocatalysts (EU) | oxygen storage | small | rare_earths tile (EU CRM 2023) |
| Zr Zirconium | not published | stabilises ceria | small | indicative |
| Zeo Zeolites | not published | SCR and hydrocarbon traps | small | indicative |
Who is low-cost, and why
There is no cost curve in the usual sense: metal is passed through at market prices, and suppliers win on grams per vehicle and test performance. Recyclers with smelters (Umicore, JM, BASF, Heraeus) recover metal cheaply and with about 98% lower emissions.