An automotive catalytic converter is a device located in every vehicle’s exhaust system. Its primary function is to reduce harmful pollutants by converting them into less hazardous substances, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. The converter contains precious metals—platinum, palladium, and rhodium—that facilitate chemical reactions which neutralize these pollutants. Because of their value, catalytic converters are recycled to recover the precious metals they contain.
The market features several main types of catalytic converters used across various vehicles and industries. These converters are categorized by their composition, function, and physical form.