Critical Minerals in Catalysts and Chemicals
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Catalytic converters are the leading U.S. use of platinum group metals, catalysts are the estimated leading U.S. end use of rare earths, and catalysts also take vanadium, rhenium, cobalt and molybdenum. USGS reports that the leading domestic use of platinum group metals is in converters that cut vehicle emissions. South Africa mined about 71% of the world's platinum in 2025 and Russia about 44% of its palladium, so catalyst supply follows two mining regions.
71%
of world platinum mine output in 2025 came from South Africa (120,000 of 170,000 kilograms)
44%
of world palladium mine output came from Russia (84,000 of 190,000 kilograms)
+53%
rise in the average ruthenium price in 2025; platinum rose 25%, rhodium 24% and palladium 11%
140,000 kg
of palladium and platinum recovered globally from new and old scrap in 2025
Which critical minerals are used in catalysts?
The table lists the catalyst uses that USGS documents in its 2026 chapters. Percentages are U.S. shares where USGS gives them, and a blank share means USGS names the use without a figure.
| Mineral | Catalyst or chemical use | What USGS reports |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum group metals | Catalytic converters; catalysts for bulk-chemical production and petroleum refining. | Converters are the leading domestic use. Palladium replaces platinum in most gasoline-engine converters; about 25% of palladium can routinely replace platinum in diesel converters, up to 50% in some uses. |
| Rhenium | Platinum-rhenium bimetallic catalysts for petroleum reforming, which produces high-octane, lead-free gasoline components. | About 15% of rhenium end use; superalloys take about 80%. An iridium-tin catalyst has reached commercial use as an alternative. |
| Rare earths | Catalysts. | Catalysts are the estimated leading domestic end use of rare earths, while magnets lead globally. |
| Vanadium | Catalysts for maleic anhydride and sulfuric acid. | The major nonmetallurgical use; metallurgical use is more than 90% of U.S. consumption. Platinum and nickel can replace vanadium catalysts in some processes. |
| Cobalt | Chemical applications including catalysts. | 25% of U.S. cobalt use is in chemicals. Rhodium can replace cobalt in hydroformylation catalysts and nickel in petroleum catalysts. |
| Molybdenum | Catalysts, lubricants and pigments. | Named as a chemical use alongside its main role as a steel and superalloy alloying agent. |
| Germanium | Polymerization catalysts. | USGS names antimony and titanium as substitutes for germanium in polymerization catalysts. |
| Tellurium | Catalysts for some chemical process reactions. | USGS says those reactions can be carried out with other catalysts or without catalysis. |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 chapters on platinum-group metals, rhenium, rare earths, vanadium, cobalt, molybdenum, germanium and tellurium.
Where does catalyst metal supply come from?
Catalyst metals come from a small number of mines. In 2025 South Africa produced an estimated 70,000 kilograms of palladium and 120,000 kilograms of platinum, Russia 84,000 and 20,000, Zimbabwe 15,000 and 18,000, and Canada 16,000 and 5,000. USGS said South African output fell about 9% in 2025 because of lower palladium prices, higher deep-level mining costs and electricity disruptions, and that Russian palladium output fell 6% on lower grades and recovery. Price moves in 2025 were attributed to lower production and to higher demand, notably for rhodium from the hard disk and chemical catalyst industries and for platinum substituting in automobile catalysts.
How much catalyst metal is recycled?
Spent catalysts are a major secondary source. USGS reports that about 140,000 kilograms of palladium and platinum were recovered globally from new and old scrap in 2025, which equals roughly 39% of the 360,000 kilograms of palladium and platinum mined that year (our arithmetic). In the United States about 50,000 kilograms of palladium and 8,600 kilograms of platinum were recovered from automobile catalytic converters. U.S. producers also recover rhenium from spent oil-refining catalysts and make vanadium products from spent catalysts, petroleum residues and utility ash. The wider picture is on the recycling pages.
Frequently asked questions
Which critical minerals are used in catalytic converters?
Catalytic converters use platinum group metals: palladium, platinum and rhodium. USGS says palladium has replaced platinum in most gasoline-engine converters because of its historically lower price, and that about 25% of palladium can routinely replace platinum in diesel converters.
Are rare earths used in catalysts?
Yes. USGS estimates that catalysts are the leading domestic end use of rare earths in the United States, although magnets are the leading use worldwide. USGS does not break down which rare earth elements go into which catalysts.
What catalysts use rhenium?
Rhenium is used with platinum in bimetallic catalysts for petroleum reforming, which makes high-octane components of lead-free gasoline. This is about 15% of rhenium end use, and superalloys take about 80%.
How much platinum and palladium is recycled?
About 140,000 kilograms of palladium and platinum were recovered globally from new and old scrap in 2025, according to USGS. Of that, the United States recovered about 50,000 kilograms of palladium and 8,600 kilograms of platinum from automobile catalytic converters.
Sources
Read on October 13, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: platinum-group metals
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: rhenium
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: rare earths
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: vanadium
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: cobalt, molybdenum, germanium and tellurium. Chapters read as PDFs
