Japanese Develop Long-lasting Catalyst For Emission Systems

TOKYO, July 11 Reuters reported that Japanese scientists have developed a new type of catalyst for pollution-control systems in cars that promises to prolong efficiency and slash precious-metal usage by automakers, the journal Nature reported on Thursday.

Catalytic converters use metals such as palladium to cut noxious emissions, but exposure to heat limits the metals' effectiveness over time.

That forces automakers to use large amounts of precious metals to ensure that catalytic activity can continue as efficiency deteriorates.

The new catalyst, however, prevents the heat-induced growth of metal particles that usually reduces the pollution-control system's efficiency by increasing surface area.

As a result, carmakers will be able to cut palladium use by more than 30 percent, domestic media said.

The research spells good news for global automakers, which have long been seeking to reduce their dependence on the white metal amid erratic supplies from Russia, the world's top producer.

Instability has bequeathed price volatility, helping to drive palladium to an all-time high of $1,094 an ounce in January 2001.

The metal <XPD=> was trading at $320 an ounce in the spot market on Thursday afternoon.

World palladium demand from automakers tumbled more than nine percent last year to 5.11 million ounces, according to the latest sector survey by refiner Johnson Matthey.

"On a short-term basis, I don't think this is going to affect palladium prices because it's a new technology that's not yet on the production line," said a precious metals trader at a big Japanese trading house.

"But on a mid-term and long-term basis, this development will affect prices a lot. Already, everybody understands the industrial trend: less usage of precious metals."

The new catalyst was jointly developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and Japanese automaker Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd.

The technology is two to three years from development, media reports said.