Recyclables

Precious metals are crucial, yet often invisible in our everyday life. They are key materials that enable consumer electronics function, found in our mobile phones and computers. Keep our air clean in automotive catalysts or support key industrial processes in industrial catalysts. Moreover, they have the unique characteristic of being infinitely recyclable.

For over 20 years, Umicore Precious Metals Refining (UPMR) is a leading market reference in the assay-based refining of complex, precious metals bearing materials. Our innovative flowsheet, vast expertise in sampling and assaying, and our rigid ethical standards guarantee proper and environmentally sound valorisation of your materials.

Precious Metals Refining is well equipped to accurately determine the composition and efficiently refine a large variety of end of life products containing precious metals. Our tailor-made team will guide you through the process. We turn the waste of yesterday into materials for tomorrow.

Spent Industrial Catalysts

Due to their high precious metals content, the recycling of Spent Industrial Catalysts is crucial for the overall performance of the industrial catalytic process. 

Umicore Precious Metals Refining has developed various and unique original sampling techniques for solid (wet or dry) and Liquid Spent Catalysts in order to receive unbiased, reliable and fully representative samples: no unexpected losses, no pre-treatment (e.g. incineration).

Our unique sampling and refining technology result in highly efficient, accurate and environmentally sound reclaiming of valuable metals.

Materials Market / Application Packaging instructions & material characteristics
Solid Catalysts
Catalysts based on Al2O3, SiO2, Zeolite, …

Oil refining: reforming / isomerisation / hydrocracking / GTL
Petrochemical: VAM

  • Dry, free flowing particles
  • No highly toxic / hazardous / volatile components
  • Packing: 200L metallic drums (without inner liners), big bags, flow bins
Catalysts based on carbon

Petrochemical: PTA
Fine Chemicals: hydrogenation / oxidation

  • Coconut shell type
  • Paste, powder, crumbly lumps
  • Typically 30-60% moisture
  • No highly toxic / hazardous / volatile components
  • Packing: 200L metallic drums (without inner liners), big bags
Catalysts based on ion exchange resin Fine Chemicals: homogeneous catalyst reactions
  • Spherical particles
  • Typically 30-60% moisture
  • No highly toxic / hazardous / volatile components
  • Packing: 200L metallic drums (without inner liners), big bags
Liquid Catalysts
Organic / water based catalysts

Bulk chemicals: OXO, acetic acid
Fine chemicals: homogeneous catalyst reactions

  • Liquid without residues
  • Viscosity: < 400 mPas (25°C)
  • Boiling Point: > 55°C
  • No toxic components