South African firm Mintek has revealed it is considering investing in the pgm recycling business, in order to establish the industry in the region.

The state-owned company is currently evaluating the prospects for the exploiting the growing number of autocatalysts in circulation, with the domestic industry said to produce around 250 tonnes of reject material a year.

Mintek says it has been in contact with the Catalytic Converter Interest Group to look in to the potential of a South African recycling industry, meaning that recoverable material could be kept in the country rather than shipped overseas.

A feasibility study has been scheduled for mid-2005, with Mintek chief executive Dr Paul Jourdan saying the prospects are good.

Tighter vehicle emissions controls in a number of markets across the world have meant that the number of autocatalysts have steadily increased.

With future emissions legislation also on the agenda in the USA, Europe and Japan, the growth of recoverable pgms in the automotive industry is expected to continue in the short-term.