Palladium has been grabbing headlines as of late, being hailed by some as the most precious of the metals. What makes it so valuable? Jewelry experts think of palladium as an alternative to gold or platinum. Its uses, however, are far more diverse. The most common industrial use for palladium is in catalytic converters for cars. Catalytic converters contain catalysts that convert toxic substances in engine exhaust into inert or less toxic substances. This, in turn, produces a cleaner exhaust that conforms to EPA standards. You can see why palladium’s catalytic properties make it so invaluable to the automotive ... (full story)