This metal is more valuable than gold

The theft of catalytic converters is on the rise due to the value of the precious metals they contain. One of these metals, palladium, is now more valuable than gold and is crucial in helping to clean up toxic emissions. As soaring demand creates a palladium crunch, the race is on to find new alternatives - or rethink how we use palladium in the future.
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[@VergeScience]

What material should we look into next?

[@Spider_007_]

Uranium

[@Spenxer612]

Americium

[@bradleyeric14]

The most expensive ( by weight) product many of us buy and use. Eye drops.

[@nekomasteryoutube3232]

How about some of the elements that go into making phospors, LCD's or LED's.

[@alexbarber3310]

Rhodium

[@Millkid20]

“This is the most expensive dust I’ve ever touched” proceeds to drop $10+ of dust every second

[@revenevan11]

I'm sure they sweep the floor often lol 🤑

[@friedrichvonsnatch3501]

I can think of a more expensive and more common dust

[@infi44]

Cocaine: Am I joke to you?

[@_mossy_8520]

@@infi44 😞

[@slayer96da1st]

$90+ palladium $38+/- gold $60 cocaine So yeah more expensive than cocaine

[@RRCats]

It was a pleasure to bring some light to this ever-important metal not only to the scrap world but to the health of the world. Thanks for stopping by and allowing our team to be a part of this great production. 👏 Cheers to the next one!

[@anthonynowlan9765]

Should require the VIN to be associated with any Cat sold.

[@kluafoz]

Iscrap!!!

[@Rakadis]

Me and my wife have wedding rings made of Palladium as neither me or my wife are very fond of the classic gold colors. They where made special order from a German jeweler. And they are the only two pieces of jewellery in this household that have increased in value since we got them.

[@madhusree1472]

Gold values have increased too

[@SebCal2235]

Dogecoin

[@15JoeKing]

@@SebCal2235 Doge to the Grooooooom

[@1001111001]

@@SebCal2235 Ah yes, dogecoin wedding rings

[@_mossy_8520]

@@1001111001 such wow

[@chemistrywiz5489]

Palladium is also widely used in the synthesis of fine chemicals! It's making synthesise more and more expensive, currently the chemical industry has literally been pushed out by the automotive and the electronics industry and we're left trying to make the most of the palladium we can get or having to find alternatives.

[@N12458]

Wow thats fascinating to know, research is important but convenience sells, eventually for better or for worse, people realise the right places they should have invested their effort in.

[@sspectre8217]

This sounds very concerning, as chemical engineering student, I hope this gets resolved before I graduate. All this sounds like a headache to figure out and balance

[@BackYardScience2000]

It is indeed getting bad. I've been stocking up on palladium on carbon for this reason. It may end up being too hard to get in the future or too expensive.

[@DanielMartinez-lz3ot]

Time to start moon mining.

[@PalmettoNDN]

What a fascinating comment. Thank you.

[@ronythomas3931]

Ironman used up most supply until Ivan vanko forced him to come up with arc reactor.

[@joshuagcwong734]

That is crazy that his dad got hit as well 😳. Life is full of these little coincidences...

[@silvahawk]

yup, my mom's coworkers also got hit in the parking lot while they were working. And the thief dare to come back again the week after yet police and the employer didn't do anything about it

[@shaggydawg5419]

I'm a victim too. It happened around 2 am in 2016. The loud noise from electric saw cutting thru my catalytic was so loud, it woke me up. My car was parked right out my 2nd floor bedroom window. Cat thieves are becoming more brazen these days. They don't steal in the cover of darkness any longer. They do that 24/7 now. I spoke to a cop few months ago to ask about cat theft. He said it's getting worse. He caught one in the act around 12 pm near my house.

[@alveolate]

they're onto him.

[@TheBurtDude]

My ex girlfriend had hers snatched at a high school football game.

[@furrysophie8997]

in the parking lot and under the bleachers

[@andrewesther4705]

@@furrysophie8997 under rated reply

[@davidyang6074]

I don't get it

[@justchillin420]

@DawhnEnchant what

[@badlandskid]

Brendon B probably why she an ex.... lmao

[@iScrapApp]

Thanks for having our Rockaway Recycling Team on this great, informative video. We are grateful to help educate through scrap!

[@maktheturd6220]

team...you guys are the same ppl.

[@harisahmadkahn]

People who've watched iron man : you know , I am something of a scientist myself

[@hanniballecter7103]

"Tastes like coconut "

[@johnbailey8730]

“…..and metal!”

[@supremecalamitas342]

Or play terraria

[@dziugast7454]

@@supremecalamitas342 Me seeing the title "PALLADIUM IS REAL?"

[@supremecalamitas342]

@@dziugast7454 I always thought it was just orange glowy stuff that you could make healing armor out of. Not one of the most expensive materials in the world.

[@tunedskillsz]

When you get into you car, turn it on, and unexpectedly hear a sudden loud roar, you know you have been hit.

[@raghavs.a630]

Lmao 🤣🤣🤣

[@SparkableGlow]

Ain't even a funny thing to hear either. $3k, I was quoted. $1,500+ just for the cat, and only from the dealer, not to mention they are on backorder and not available.

[@raghavs.a630]

@@SparkableGlow can you doing something about it except joke about it cus I don't see any place to go where i could help either the person who's been hit or the industry which is doing nothing to prevent these incidents

[@Phillipc403]

@@raghavs.a630 You can have your vin number engraved on the catalytic converter so its visible to someone under the car trying to saw it off. It deters thieves and makes them harder for these to sell. Thieves stopped stealing mine after that. I think it cost me around $50 bucks to have someone engrave it or you could do it yourself if you have an engraver.

[@raghavs.a630]

@@Phillipc403 Ohh wow informative i like you I'll keep this info in mind

[@CosmicPotato]

Damn, that's messed up. Cars are expensive enough to maintain without people stealing parts from them...

[@garcia1832]

I making that junkyard run now

[@scottmartin8888]

Insurance might cover it. Not sure though.

[@charlesdarwindanao7158]

Lol, I remember the news where a guy got crushed by a car while he was trying to steal a catalytic converter.

[@FinancialShinanigan]

Only $103? Verge Science needs a larger budget!

[@goncaloguedes2899]

The whole budget wasn't 103 dollars, they probably had a reasonable budget for the video but could only afford to throw away that much

[@spectralquill1810]

I mean, it's reasonable enough since they'll only need it for a video and safekeeping

[@VergeScience]

Ha! Well it was between 1g for $103, an ounce for $2800, or 10oz for $28,000... so our options were limited :D

[@MrUnl0rd]

Surely it could be sold after the video rather than thrown out, otherwise it's not all that precious.

[@scaponyx]

Thiefs: What valuables should I steel next? Verge: Hold on, we've got a video for you right here.

[@tunedskillsz]

These kinds of videos are entertaining, but I always think the same thing. People who use drugs constantly look for new ways to get money fast and this is one. He even mentioned portable battery saws, they like $50 and it take 1 min to cut off the cat.

[@raghavs.a630]

🤣🤣 lmao your thinking is on a another level

[@eastonwilliams1722]

Steal

[@monhi64]

Idk if there’s a thief out there that hasn’t heard of stealing converters. They get together and talk about the best stuff to steal all the time lola

[@downloadingutubes]

Paul Dauenhauer is my Thermodynamics Professor right now hes awesome.

[@jacob9673]

you ready for the final next week?

[@imstillw8ing]

Minnesota - represent.

[@itskindofemily]

For a metal I've probably heard the name of once, its super interesting to see how its used

[@ikmalhafiz2865]

it's used in the iron man movie

[@Logan76039]

I learned palladium existed from terraria

[@Bax365]

"That's Palladium, .15 grams. We need at least 1.6 so why don't you go break down the other 11?"

[@tacos6915]

He did it in a cave !!! With a bunch of scrap !!!

[@sciencecoolnerds8524]

Don't waste your life...Stark...

[@athena9098]

function 11, you should see a progress bar. talk to me! press i. i. come here and buck me up

[@peter.hernandez]

I understood that reference.

[@justjiggy2204]

I am IRON MAN!

[@bread804]

People who have played Terraria: you know , I am something of a scientist myself

[@ryanmonteclaro1220]

True Also why is it orange tho?

[@cillianennis9921]

@@ryanmonteclaro1220 Likely for gameplay reasons. As if it was another greyish-silvery blue metal you'd mix it up with Platinum, Silver or even maybe Lead. But I think the real ore of the metal is an orangish colour or something.

[@eliazzortega]

“This is the most expensive dust I have ever touched” Every coke head out there: 😏😏😏🤪

[@conradkai9705]

🙂🤥👈😩

[@larenzolorein6399]

Palladium is more expensive than coke by gram

[@TheAmericanCatholic]

@@larenzolorein6399 palladium isn’t meant to be snorted

[@shan_singh]

4:15 I laughed so hard at that beep

[@jaydm8089]

Same slightly confused but still funny

[@runeflivix8073]

Yo same it suddenly happened so randomly xD

[@vice.nor.virtue]

@@runeflivix8073 At first it was confusing, but now I see everyone else laughing at it, it's freaking hysterical. The converter is from a " F***** C*** S*******" BEEEEEP

[@PaulPaulPaulson]

So with more and more EVs being sold, the price would go down again in the near future?

[@hanniballecter7103]

Price of lithium would go up.

[@evannibbe9375]

@@hanniballecter7103 Lithium is substantially more common, with a vast desert full of Lithium salts at high altitude in Bolivia that would come online as soon as it becomes cost effective to move that material.

[@Funktastico]

@@evannibbe9375 So lithium miner stocks gonna tank ?

[@armyofninjas9055]

Population is increasing and I doubt EVs are displacing the demand more people create.

[@user-nf5ye4vn7z]

Thanks for the content you guys make at Verge, always a joy to see a new video :D

[@veryde_3356]

Palladium is actually also very important for *homogeneous* catalysis (all reactants are in solution) as well. Namely, it can be used in coupling reactions which are very good at forming new bonds between two carbon atoms, something that is really hard for chemists to do. The entire ensemble of Platinum group elements is actually really useful in catalysis and the one called Iridium is actually more common in asteroids than in the earth's crust. There is a thin layer if Iridium on earth that is a result of the meteor impact that killed off the dinosaurs.

[@veryde_3356]

also platinum is used to make silicone which then is used for implants and whatnot. Silicones are actually non-toxic, yet there are still reports of inflammation or poisoning symptoms when implants burst. These reactions are not caused by the silicone but by Platinum impurities that could not be removed from the material.

[@linecraftman3907]

very interesting!!!

[@TheFoxStalksHisPrey]

Wow that outro, what coincident

[@coonskinniggs]

Man, this channel is so damn underrated. 😥

[@trydenrocks]

4:29 they didn’t bleep the car manufacturers name they were trying to hide the fact that the owner swore like a sailor..

[@Baronstone]

Palladium has a much more important use than being used for catalytic converters. It is the only precious metal that works better than silver against evil creatures, ghosts, demons, and devil. Adding a single gram of it to the molten steel used to make knives and swords that then get used against supernatural creatures allows them to work just as well as a solid silver blade. So they are much stronger than silver and more deadly because palladium is more potent against the supernatural than silver is.

[@monhi64]

You encounter a lotta supernatural creatures? Can’t say I’ve ever encountered a single one in any capacity so fortunately no need for special palladium anti devil knives

[@CreationWebNovelStudio]

It's a little creepy how the algorithm suggested this video after I learned a friend had their catalytic converter cut out from under their vehicle. They went to turn on their vehicle and the loud was overwhelming, so they thought something had happened to their muffler. Then they discovered that the catalytic converter had been cut out.

[@jackmcdonald8355]

Lmao good meme.

[@okn712]

It’s not a coincidence

[@seanplace8192]

If you drive a plug-in hybrid, you better keep a close eye on your car. Those are one of the most targeted vehicles because their catalytic converters are almost always in very good condition due to the engines rarely being ran.

[@jadenephrite]

On Friday April 30, 2021, the price of Palladium increased to its highest price ever of $3,052 per troy ounce which surpasses even the highest prices of Gold at $2,078 per troy ounce on August 6, 2020 or Platinum at $2,308 per troy ounce on March 4, 2008. The price of Palladium was less expensive at $79.25 per troy ounce on June 6, 1992.

[@yashpandey5940]

Your video editing is awesome dude!!

[@Alphadan]

Really interesting piece of documentary.

[@johnj8639]

The catalytic converter on my car is worth more than my entire car 🤯

[@walterwilliams8807]

What's going on with the Periodic Table at 0:45? The Atomic Numbers of elements Iridium through Gold are mislabeled. Ir=77, Pt=78, Au=79 and Hg=80.

[@VergeScience]

Hey good catch! We won’t be using this table in the future - it appears to be a misprint that skipped over 77. Thanks for pointing this out.

[@googesowders8622]

Great clip . Thank you for making easy to understand 👍🏻

[@flashbash2]

I was looking at the average cost of an older fuel efficient car a couple years back and the price has DOUBLED within that time and the cost of a new catalytic converter makes up more than half the value of the car.

[@Knemer1990]

This was very well done

[@younusdanka7605]

Brilliant presentation. Thank you.

[@groundsymphony]

It said at 2:49 that the US uses 90k kg per year, and on the next slide it shows the total produce is 161k per year. Which means the US consumes more than half of the total. Interesting fact

[@itskindofemily]

I've never been this early. Love these metal vids!

[@thanhavictus]

Can you imagine getting your catalytic converter stolen while doing a big video about catalytic converters and having catalytic converters stolen. That bit at the end 👌😩

[@66bigbuds]

Before the great demand, it was super cheap. They used to make costume jewelry out of it. In 1977 when we ordered class rings it was the cheapest option. For those who couldn't afford gold.

[@katcihealer]

very true, their is a lot of palladium out there unmarked on costume jewerly.

[@culturebreath369]

Rewlly hit home when he said "This is off of a,BEEEEEP."

[@lmsorenson8503]

Wow, it's almost as pricey as lumber! 😅

[@augmentedjustin835]

I work at a dealership and we've been seeing tons of cars come in with stolen cats. We've actually started to see people take defensive measures such as wrapping their catalytic converter in barbed wire.

[@monhi64]

Really thought you were talking about house cats for a split second and was pretty confused lol

[@antonfilonov5958]

*slowly puts an airtag inside my catalytic converter

[@prashanthpradhan]

Amazing animation of the catalytic converter. Great video

[@brianbrewster6532]

Time to seriously start space mining now!

[@zeryphex]

#1 Platinum also works as a catalyst ... not just palladium. #2 Electric cars don't need platinum or palladium as much as [internal combustion engine] cars do. #3 Lithium, manganese, nickel, and cobalt are used in electric cars ... so platinum and palladium are not guaranteed to hold their value, in the long term ... they are only valuable, currently.

[@hanniballecter7103]

Thank god, an actual science based comment sticking to the topic, amongst these annoying Iron Man references.

[@TurkeyOW]

I truly hope you aren't trying to correct the narrator of the video cause none of what you mentioned was stated.

[@rvxn]

I'm glad that I found this channel through this video.

[@danielhowe7362]

Genuinely fascinating!

[@matthieuboreykim8077]

I've learnt more chemistry and science through Verge Science than in class.

[@JoseRamirez-xs5lq]

1:41 wonder where he got that catalytic converter?? My car has been sounding awfully loud for some reason

[@Jimmy-xx2co]

I did a science project on this. This is why this is my favorite metal. Im not far enough in the video to know if he covered this but palladium is made from titanium disolved in hydrochloric acid. The residue is palladium

[@katcihealer]

If it were that simple they would not have been trying for fifty years to figure this poroblem out.

[@LOLWAAHH]

“He buys converters from scrappers…” Ngl that sounds dope, like literal Star Wars

[@equinox9077]

Breaths in the dust *This is the most expensive air I've ever experienced*

[@revenevan11]

Then the dust gets stuck in your lungs and catalyzes pollutants as you breathe them in. Now that's a pro-gamer move! (Probably would actually just cause cancer like any dust stuck in your lungs would.)

[@hanniballecter7103]

I am sure there are some messed up drugs that cost more than this.

[@osmantamburaci1numra]

@@hanniballecter7103 Metal drugs 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@SahilP2648]

@@hanniballecter7103 not some, many

[@spuw1872]

just mine the palladium after you hit hard mode

[@ghiffarsabda6079]

"The most expensive dust i ever touched" wears a glove

[@cadenbigler]

Amazing video!!! I learned so much!!!

[@Celebstalks216]

“Palladium is more valuable than gold* Darkorbit players mining palla in 5-3: 🥴

[@ricois3]

Rhodium be like 👀

[@JCO2002]

1994 Land Rover Discovery, turbo-diesel, in Jamaica. If I had one, it's long gone.

[@alexisbendelamousseauchocolat]

Wow! This content is next level. DHANX!

[@TimeTheory2099]

Another reason to go electric, or hydrogen?? The problem I'm having is, getting a twenty year loan in order to buy a new car. Lol.

[@Altoonawiseman]

I love How you made the 'Recycler' out to be the 'Good Guy' in this video 🤣 Not like hes the MAIN GUY profiting from all the Theft at all! LOL

[@PokeNebula]

watch the video. He Isnt enabling anybody: he takes names and he’s ready to snitch at the drop of the hat.

[@northsidemarquez9091]

Guy: most expensive dust I've touched! Coke

[@williewyatt7343]

My my brother I'm sad to hear that your father converter was stolen. I've heard of people stiling converter's from vehicles but I didn't know that the metal was this important until I watched your video. I would like to take this time to thank you for it. So now I must keep a watchful eye on my vehicles again I thank you Palladium wow wow wow

[@MakavelithePrince96]

Stick to GOLD ..I know something u will NEVER know...and it will make me a billionaire, u have fun with your GOLD and Palladium.

[@Azz-M]

Who thought it was l.s.d on the thumbnail 🤣

[@samitabbakh8409]

I was looking for this comment

[@Dantick09]

Nice! I am off to harvest some converters. Just in time for rent

[@tunedskillsz]

Remember to research which cars to hit, some have twice the palladium as in others.

[@jackwilson5542]

@@tunedskillsz LOL!

[@jacob9673]

Hey look, it’s my chemE thermo professor!

[@subbiahpalani]

Thank you so much for the bleeps! =D

[@jonathanbrady3236]

Electrify your catalytic converter... They'll get a nasty surprise when trying to steal it 😅

[@jackmcdonald8355]

Rubber gloves, most cats are dirty because they sit under the car and get hit with road dirt and other shit.

[@fajarsetiawan8665]

Isn't this Tony Stark's energy core before the triangle one?

[@abhishekkhetan]

Palladium is also used in making arc reactors.

[@angusorvid8840]

I was at a car dealership the other day getting work done and a Prius drove onto the lot that sounded like a dying lawn mower. It had just had its catalytic converter stolen and was there to get a muffler/converter assembly. It cost a fortune. No matter how many thieves they bust, they can't even make a dent in this crimewave. It's time to find a new alternative with earth abundant materials. We have to. This is a terrible crimewave.

[@tanya292]

I know all about palladium. I have watched iron man you know.

[@hanniballecter7103]

I don't remember asking that to you.

[@stelrex7293]

@@hanniballecter7103 No one asked your opinion either. 😒

[@hanniballecter7103]

@@stelrex7293 you see the irony in your response?

[@tanya292]

@@hanniballecter7103 and I don’t remember asking you to comment on this post. But I guess we’re all doing stuff unprompted

[@willcwhite]

Do EVs use catalytic converters?

[@VergeScience]

The do not, but require a ton of lithium,...so there are always going to be trade offs. On the flip side, fuel cell cars are also a big alternative energy, but require a LOT more platinum to run the necessary reaction to create energy.

[@TRANSISTOOR]

4:17 for a second ther Ithought to myself : Why is he cursing the converters ?! "this is a f*cking one .. this is a shi*ty one, these are all b.s" lol

[@Digitalgovermentdreams]

Very informative video literally explains a lot

[@fatimaaisya4385]

I'm here because of the Russia-Ukranian conflict because they're the main exporters of palladium and nickel.

[@siddarthagalipelli8746]

You just introduced more people to this theft

[@cloudaye]

4:15 ah yes these informations were very helpful thank you so much

[@ContraryTrends]

Yeah... I spent all my palladium upgrading my multi core shields for the Normandy, always ran low after that.

[@shrikantpawar4055]

By using this metal Tony stark ( iron man) created his first arc reactor inside a cave. He was just awesome, love him 3000.

[@fizipcfx]

what a legend

[@hanniballecter7103]

Oh shut up, you MCU fans can't even breathe a second without pulling out a reference. There are other things to explore, do that.

[@shrikantpawar4055]

@@hanniballecter7103 you shut up he is our hero and we will find reference you just go to hell

[@hanniballecter7103]

@@shrikantpawar4055 Meh, you got low standards.

[@shrikantpawar4055]

@@hanniballecter7103 No you've got low standards..boy

[@gijuchoi6751]

Ironman fans: I've see this before......

[@santanatruckingco8587]

If I only knew...WE used to empty the catalytic converters from the Yellow Checker Star cabs in Las Vegas and throw them away, that company used to run their fleet on propane gas.

[@Zemriel1]

As Palladium is a metal and the challenge is keeping the metals in place for efficient dispersion, has anyone considered using magnets?

[@notme8232]

Magnets only significantly affect ferrous materials, such as iron

[@aryabitsu]

can't wait to wear palladium jewellery

[@ricois3]

Some white gold alloys are Gold-Palladium alloys. They're getting so expensive.

[@b-macrap6686]

Me too. I want to get my palladium coin melted and made into a nice chain

[@cryptozill9861]

Despite the economic crisis, this is a Still good time to invest in Gold and Crypto

[@loganmathins9059]

Gold's are good but crypto is better

[@ridhamokni7611]

@@loganmathins9059 You're right I think Gold and Crypto are the best to invest right now☺️

[@vivianwillies7922]

@@ridhamokni7611 I wanted to trade crypto but got confused by the fluctuation in price

[@edgarjamer2005]

Verry helpful for feeding info

[@soulassassin0g]

Me: **owns a Toyota Prius** Also me: **chuckles** "I'm in danger."

[@PS-ug7nm]

1:02 Does anyone else think Paul Dauenhaur look like old Badger from Breaking Bad 😆

[@juanduarte200]

He said “the most expensive dust I’ve ever touched” lmao *snorts a line*

[@leociresi4292]

Now he have snot more valuable than gold!

[@armybrother81]

I just finished watching a nile red video and this came up, kinda thought it was an ad at first. Glad I stayed though 👌

[@Justsomeoneyoucouldhaveknown]

All its going to take is for someone to come along and discover a way to make it cheaper than the current methods. Aluminum used to be worth more than gold because of how expensive and laborious the process of refining bauxite was. It's still pretty difficult but some guy named Carl came along and revolutionized the industry with a new process for refinement. Now look how much aluminum has proliferated our lives.

[@tonysuda9066]

Right but have we reached a point of scientific peak? Maybe the solution is from mars

[@Justsomeoneyoucouldhaveknown]

@@tonysuda9066 hella no. As long as there's a question and someone who's willing to devote time and effort to discovering the truth to that question (or come as close as possible) science will never peak for its going to generate new question along the way... At least not in our lives. There's always going to be something that can be done better or in a different way, someone who comes along and by accident or intention will shake up science. Mars more than likely holds interesting answers but probably more interesting questions. But we have to get there 1st before we can reap the rewards... The journey there is sure to spark some new "science" too.

[@everettduncan7543]

I mean aluminum is much much more common than any of the platinum group metals, let along golf and silver

[@alexgraham5752]

Tony Stark has a bunch of these for his Arc Reactor, but then again, it’s poisonous.

[@DoodleDan]

This is one thing I could never imagine people stealing, fascinating.

[@aarshpatel2000]

Fun fact many organic reactions use water as a catalyst.

[@kcmullins6179]

I got 39 ozs of palladium iv collected over the yrs. I have em in 1oz bars and some are in gram bars. I got a bunch of silver n a good amount of gold bullion. And I got 6 grams of rhodium in one gram bars I got those from my grandfather when he passed along with platinum 1 oz rounds and bars.