Assay for Rookies: Breaking Down the Science Behind Catalytic Converter Analysis

If you’ve ever dealt with catalytic converters, you know that they’re valuable because of the platinum, palladium, and rhodium they contain, precious metals that are traded on the metal market.

And while other recyclers might choose to sell their material to another party, getting paid based on your assay results is the only way to get the true value of your catalyst material.

We understand, though, that the assay process can seem a bit complicated, but we’re here to tell you all about it. So if you want to become an assay expert, check out our video or keep reading.

First Thing’s First: Proper Sample Preparation

In catalytic converter recycling, the most important rule is to have a proper sample preparation method. This way, you get the most accurate assay results that identify the exact metal content in your material.

Getting a proper sample means that your converters have been cut, crushed, and mixed until a homogenous powder is created. In this powder, each particle has an equal chance of being analyzed, which is critical for assay accuracy. Once your material is completely homogenized, multiple samples are taken for assay.

What is Assay?

An assay is a laboratory test that measures the amount of a specific substance. In the converter recycling industry, your material goes through X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductive Coupled plasma (ICP) machines. These technologies measure the exact amount of platinum group metals (PGMs) contained in your scrap catalytic converters.

What is The Difference Between XRF and ICP?

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is typically used as a fast, non-destructive screening tool. It helps identify which elements are present in a sample and provides preliminary concentration data. While XRF alone isn’t always precise enough for final settlement, it’s valuable for verification and quality control.

Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis is a more detailed laboratory method. Samples are dissolved and analyzed at the atomic level, allowing accurate measurement of platinum, palladium, and rhodium. This is the gold standard for final assay results and financial settlement in the industry.

Your Assay Report, and What Matters In It

Assay isn’t just about numbers, it’s also about trust. A transparent assay report creates a clearer, more accountable relationship between recyclers and processors.

Detailed assay reports allow suppliers to see exactly how their material was processed, what metals were recovered, and how final settlements were calculated. This level of transparency reduces disputes, builds confidence, and supports long-term partnerships.

Here’s a brief list of what kind of data PMR delivers on your assay report:

• Troy ounce recovery figures
• Parts per million (PPMs)
• Metal return percentages

For recyclers looking to scale their operations or professionalize their scrap program, working with a refiner that prioritizes transparent assay reporting is a critical step forward.

Choosing Assay Means Choosing Accuracy

It might be faster for some recyclers to sell to their buyers, but they might not be getting the best market price. When you choose to assay your converter loads, you’re making the smartest choice you can make for your scrap yard or automotive recycling business. That’s because you’ll get paid based on an accurate reading of the metals recovered from your material, not by some guess.

Toll-refiners who assay will give you an assay report with all the information you need to hedge accordingly, like troy ounce recovery metrics and current metal prices, among other figures. Having this kind of data not only ensures a transparent relationship with your processor but also allows you to better understand your material. For this reason, at PMR, we provide transparent and detailed assay reports to our suppliers. We believe in empowering recyclers to make the best choices for their businesses.

Understanding Why Assay Matters in a Volatile Metals Market

One of the biggest reasons assay plays such a critical role in catalytic converter recycling is the volatility of precious metal markets. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium prices can fluctuate daily based on global supply, industrial demand, geopolitical factors, and emissions regulations. Without a precise assay, recyclers are essentially guessing how much exposure they have to these price swings.

When your material is accurately assayed, you can make informed decisions about when to sell, hedge, or hold based on real metal content rather than estimates. This becomes especially important for recyclers handling high volumes or mixed loads of converters, where even small inaccuracies can translate into significant financial differences over time.

Assay-backed settlements protect recyclers from underpayment during high-price periods and ensure fair compensation when markets soften. In short, assay gives you control in an unpredictable market.

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