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Spent molybdenum catalyst is a refinery by-product with real value
Refineries use molybdenum-based catalysts on alumina to remove sulfur and nitrogen from fuels, and chemical plants use molybdenum catalysts for oxidation and other reactions. After a few years in service the catalyst is loaded with sulfur, carbon and metals from the feed, but most of the molybdenum is still there. Molybdenum catalyst recycling recovers it, along with any cobalt, nickel and vanadium picked up in service.
FORMS WE BUY
Spent molybdenum catalysts we buy
Hydrotreating catalyst
Spent Mo on alumina from diesel and naphtha units
Residue upgrading catalyst
Resid and ebullated bed catalyst with V and Ni
Oxidation catalyst
Iron molybdate and other chemical catalysts
Unused molybdenum catalyst
Surplus, expired or off-spec stock
Catalyst fines and dust
Screenings and broken extrudates
Oily or coked catalyst
Unwashed catalyst straight from the reactor
HOW minor metals are PRICED
Oryx Metals makes scrap recycling easy and profitable
Highest value
Clean, high-purity solids
Uncontaminated pieces, offcuts, ingots and production rejects
Mid-Range
Coated or alloyed scrap
Coated parts, alloys, turnings and mixed solids
Priced on content
Powders, sludges & residues
Value depends on metal %, contamination and moisture
Get pricing for your metal
A photo and an analysis is all we need to start. A metals specialist replies within 24 hours.
01
Send us the material
02
we evaluate it
03
you receive an offer
04
we handle the execution
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Turbine Parts for Mutilation
Tungsten Recycling
Germanium Recycling
Gallium Recycling
Indium Recycling
Hafnium Recycling
Rhenium Recycling
Tantalum Recycling
Niobium Recycling
Tin Recycling
Molybdenum Recycling
Vanadium Recycling
Zirconium Recycling
Tungsten Carbide Scrap
Nickel Alloys
Cobalt Alloys
Titanium Alloys
High Speed Steel
Jet Engine & Turbine Blade Scrap
Rare Earth & Magnet Scrap
Battery Black Mass
Tungsten Catalyst
Molybdenum Catalyst
Copper Catalyst
Vanadium Catalyst
Mixed-Metal Catalyst
Precious Metal (PGM) Catalyst
Gold (Au)
Silver (Ag)
Platinum (Pt)
Palladium (Pd)
Rhodium (Rh)
Iridium (Ir)
Ruthenium (Ru)
Metal-Bearing Sludges
Mixed Metal Residues
Filter Cakes
Sweeps
Dusts
Fines
Slags
Tantalum & Niobium (ores)
Tungsten (ores)
Tin (ores)
Titanium (ores)
Rare Earth (ores)
MATERIAL WE’ve BOUGHT
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FAQs
Spent molybdenum catalyst: recycling and pricing FAQ
What spent molybdenum catalyst do you buy?
Spent hydrotreating catalyst with molybdenum on alumina, residue upgrading and ebullated bed catalyst, iron molybdate and other molybdenum oxidation catalysts, unused or off-spec catalyst, and catalyst fines. Cobalt-molybdenum and nickel-molybdenum blends are covered in more detail on our Mixed-Metal Catalyst page.
How much molybdenum is in spent catalyst?
Typically several percent to around fifteen percent molybdenum, depending on the original formulation, plus vanadium and nickel picked up from the feed. Your catalyst supplier’s data sheet and a spent catalyst analysis give us what we need to quote.
How is spent molybdenum catalyst valued?
On the molybdenum content and any payable cobalt, nickel or vanadium, minus treatment costs for carbon, sulfur, oil and moisture, against the molybdenum market. Oryx bases each offer on your assay and tonnage.
Is spent hydrotreating catalyst hazardous?
Often yes. Sulfided catalyst can self-heat in air and may release toxic gases when wet. It is usually classed as hazardous waste and must be packed and shipped under the correct classification. We confirm packing, labelling and permits for your route.
When should a refinery contact Oryx about a catalyst change-out?
Ideally a few months before the turnaround. That allows time for analysis, offers, permits and container planning, so spent catalyst can leave site as soon as it is unloaded.
Why choose Oryx Metals for molybdenum catalyst recycling?
Oryx Metals buys spent catalysts for their metal value, not as a waste service. We work with processors that recover molybdenum, cobalt, nickel and vanadium, pay for each payable metal and manage permits and logistics around your turnaround schedule.
