Palladium is widely used in various industries and everyday products, including smartphones, semiconductor manufacturing processes, and hydrogen fuel cells. It is an essential metal that acts as an excellent catalyst even in minute quantities, reducing pollutants and enhancing energy efficiency. However, palladium production is concentrated in a few countries, leading to an unstable supply. South Korea generates significant amounts of spent catalysts and electronic waste annually, and a lack of eco-friendly and efficient recovery technologies means much is discarded.
