Automotive Catalytic Converters
Over 80% of palladium demand comes from automotive catalytic converters in gasoline vehicles. Catalytic converters use palladium catalysts to convert carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides into less harmful carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen. Tightening emissions standards globally — Euro 7 in Europe, Tier 3 in the United States, China 6b in China — require increasing palladium loadings per vehicle. Even as electric vehicle adoption grows, the internal combustion engine fleet will continue expanding in developing markets for decades.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continues to tighten light-duty vehicle emission standards, which directly increases palladium demand per vehicle produced. Each standard revision has historically translated into measurable increases in palladium consumption.


