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| Palladium, Pd |
The Growing Demand for Palladium in Key Industries
Palladium (Pd) is a rare metal that belongs to the platinum group metals (PGMs). With a melting point of 1,554°C, it offers better catalytic selectivity than
platinum. This property makes it an essential material in many advanced technologies.
Due to its excellent oxidation resistance and electrical conductivity, palladium is widely used in electronics, catalysts, and dental materials. It is now gaining renewed attention with the rise of fuel cell and hydrogen storage technologies. These trends position
palladium as a strategic mineral with rising industrial demand.
South Africa and Russia dominate global palladium production, supplying around 70–80% of the world’s total. This geographic concentration makes global supply chains vulnerable to political and geopolitical disruptions. For example, the Russia-Ukraine war has caused palladium prices to fluctuate significantly.
In response, many countries are focusing on recycling technologies and domestic production capabilities to reduce dependence on unstable foreign sources.
Palladium’s Role in the Hydrogen Economy and Environmental Industries
The most prominent application of palladium is in automotive catalytic converters. It helps purify vehicle exhaust gases by converting carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into harmless substances. This makes palladium especially critical in gasoline-powered vehicles.
Palladium also reacts selectively with hydrogen. This makes it a top material choice for fuel cell catalysts and hydrogen sensors, which are vital to the hydrogen economy. Furthermore, palladium is used as a selective catalyst in high-value chemical production.
Because of its scarcity and value, palladium is now more expensive than gold or platinum. Demand will likely continue to rise in line with growth in eco-friendly vehicles, electronics, and clean energy industries.
To maintain a stable supply, recycling plays a key role. The main sources of palladium recycling are:
- Automotive catalyst scrap (refined via heat treatment and chemical analysis)
- Industrial waste, including electronics, semiconductors, and chemical catalysts (processed using chemical extraction methods)
These recycling processes are more cost-effective and sustainable than new mining. They also support national strategies for carbon neutrality and
resource security.
Governments and companies are now expanding recycling infrastructure and building stockpiles to prevent supply chain disruptions.
Dong-A Special Metals: Leading Palladium Recycling in Korea
At Dong-A Special Metals, we specialize in recycling rare and strategic metals like palladium. Our advanced technologies recover high-purity materials from automotive and industrial scrap. These recycled raw materials are immediately reusable for alloy production and casting, reducing dependency on imports.
Palladium is no longer just a rare metal — it is a national strategic resource. Countries such as the U.S. and EU include it on their critical mineral lists. As Korea builds its hydrogen economy and high-tech industries, a policy shift is needed to support domestic recycling and alternative material development.
Dong-A Special Metals is committed to solving Korea’s resource circulation challenges and welcomes inquiries from automotive, semiconductor, and hydrogen sector manufacturers. Contact us today to secure your sustainable palladium supply.
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