BASF launches PGM carbon tracker Verdium

Wielding the capability of Germany's largest chemical manufacturer, BASF launched a new solution to recycled metals that will enable companies to verify carbon reductions and track sustainability goals through its newly launched Verdium treatment.

Independently validated by leading safety science company UL Solutions, with the approval from a third party, BASF felt confident in releasing what it believes will counter emissions from the recycling of critically valuable platinum group metals.

"Independent validation by UL Solutions is a testament to our recycled metal approach that sets the standard in the PGM space," said Tim Ingle, senior vice president of precious metal services and recycling at Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS), a world-class catalyst division of BASF. "It also brings transparency to the PGM value chain, enabling customers to track carbon reduction with accuracy and confidence."

The company says that one kilogram of Verdium can save over thirty metric tons of carbon and will be available to Europe and U.S.-based PGM customers beginning Jan. 2024.

"We have long been a leader in advancing circularity and sustainability through our metals expertise," said ECMS President and CEO Dirk Bremm. "Recognizing the pressing demand for tangible sustainability progress, we worked in close consultation with our customers to design Verdium as a traceable, audited solution that helps customers make measurable strides toward their goals."

Listed as a "treatment of materials in the nature of metal; recycling of metal and their alloys; recycling of rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, platinum and palladium; recycling of spent automotive catalysts and catalytic converters" under its international patent filing, this new additive will purportedly enable BASF customers to verify their carbon reduction, track progress toward sustainability goals, and help lower future Scope 3 emissions.

According to the company, this additive will not alter the quality of recycled metal from ECMS and is perhaps used as a tracer material as BASF states, "documented verification will confirm the amount of recycled metals purchased and applied to select end products, which can be traced to a concrete carbon metric."

As part of UL Solutions' validation process, BASF will maintain annual audits and site visits per International Organization for Standardization compliance.

"We commend ECMS for their carbon reduction efforts. We hope the UL certification of Verdium will help pave the way for ECMS and its customers to achieve their environmental goals and a more sustainable future for all," said Josh Warren, vice president and general manager of the retail and consumer product group at UL Solutions.