Honda Catalyst Cuts Rhodium Content 50%

Honda Motor Co. says it has developed an exhaust catalyst that uses half the normal amount of rhodium and costs 37% less to make than previous formulations.

The chemistry will debut later this month in U.S. versions of the 2013 Accord, then expand to other Honda models.

Most catalytic converters use a blend of platinum, palladium and rhodium to process nitrogen oxide and unburned hydrocarbons into nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water.

The catalyst Honda currently uses in the Accord contains no platinum but requires rhodium to accelerate the action of palladium. The company says it has been able to enhance the catalytic efficiency of palladium, thus reducing the need for rhodium.

The new catalyst will reduce the overall precious metal content in the Accord's catalytic converter by 22%, according to the company.