Three Decades of the Catalytic Converter = 30 Years of Cleaner Air, Says the International Platinum Association Celebrating an Industry Milestone

FRANKFURT, Germany, Oct. 4, 2004 -- As the automobile industry rolls out its 2005 models this month marking the traditional start of the new model year, one of the most significant pollution control advances of the past century is reaching an important milestone. This month marks the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the catalytic converter into the U.S. vehicle fleet. The International Platinum Association (IPA) is celebrating this milestone by highlighting the significant role that platinum group metals in the catalytic converter and the particulate trap -- a similar technology made for diesel engines -- have played in improving air quality by reducing harmful auto emissions.

"Since catalytic converters were first fitted into the 1975 model year cars, more than 12 billion tons of harmful gases have been rendered harmless worldwide," explained Marcus Nurdin, managing director of the International Platinum Association.

"This is due to the platinum group metals catalysts which autocatalyst technologies use to help convert 97 percent of hydrocarbons, 96 percent of carbon monoxide and 90 percent of the nitrogen oxides produced by automobile engines into less harmful substances.

"The environmental benefits of catalyst use have truly made cleaner air and the increasing use of diesel-powered vehicles possible. We are proud of the integral role platinum group metals have played in these technological advances," continued Nurdin.

According to IPA member Johnson Matthey, in 1960, a typical car emitted over 100 grams of pollutants for every mile driven. Today, however, a new car bought in the U.S., Japan or Europe, where autocatalysts are required, emits only about two grams of pollutants per mile.

Catalytic converters have also contributed to pollution reduction in a more indirect way. Since catalysts don't function with leaded gasoline, rules mandating lead-free gasoline had to be enacted before the converters could be used. The U.S. government's 1970 decision to require the sale of lead-free gasoline has removed 250,000 tons/year of toxic lead from automobile emissions in the U.S.

As the value of catalytic converters becomes increasingly apparent, countries around the world are enacting vehicle emission legislation requiring catalysts in cars sold in their markets. In 2003, purchases of platinum group metals by the autocatalyst sector increased 23 percent from the previous year: 3.19 million ounces of platinum, 3.46 million ounces of palladium, and 665,000 ounces of rhodium.

With retrofitting technology available, older vehicles are benefiting from autocatalysts as well. More than 20,000 older heavy -- duty diesel vehicles in the U.S. have been retrofitted with new particulate traps to reduce emissions under EPA programs. Pollution controls have also been installed under similar programs in the United Kingdom, France, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe, along with Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

Although PGMs are mined precious metals, the industry is confident that supplies will continue to meet the increasing demand. Not only is a remarkably small amount (4-5 grams) of the metal used in the average catalytic converter, but PGMs are also highly recyclable, with up to 96 percent of the metal recoverable in the recycling process. In 2003, the recovery of platinum from recycled autocatalysts was an estimated 645,000 ounces, the recovery of palladium was 410,000 ounces, and the recovery of rhodium was 123,000 ounces.

"Precious metal-based catalysts have played a major role in the past 30 years in cleaning up the air that we all breathe," said Dr. Haren Gandhi, Henry Ford Technical Fellow at Ford Research and Advanced Engineering and one of the most influential figures in the emissions control technology market.

He continued, "As we had expected for some time, with major advances in engine and control technology, along with catalyst technology, we have been able to dramatically reduce the amount of PGMs necessary for current emission tasks. However, PGMs are required, and will continue to be required, for satisfactory performance and durability of current and future engines to meet regulatory requirements."

IPA Members active in developing and producing automobile emissions control technology (catalytic converters and particulate traps) include Engelhard Corporation, Johnson Matthey, Umicore and W. C. Heraeus. For a list of all IPA Members please visit our Web site at http://www.platinuminfo.net/.

The International Platinum Association (IPA) is a non-profit association of leading mining, production and fabrication companies in the global platinum group metals industry. IPA is based in Frankfurt, Germany. If you have questions about the IPA or its member companies, contact Monica Hottenrott at the IPA at +110 49 (69) 283618 or mhottenrott@platinuminfo.net.

Note: All supply/demand data is taken from IPA Member Johnson Matthey's publication Platinum 2004.