Ruthenium is handled by many different Umicore business units across the value chain, linking recycling, metal management, chemistry and customer-facing products.Â
For example, Precious Metals Chemistry (PMC) converts refined ruthenium into a wide range of chemicals used in high-value applications such as metalorganic precursors for the electronics sector,  or catalysts for the chemical syntheses of pharmaceutical ingredients. It is also used in the production of flavors and fragrances, agrochemicals or special materials and polymers. Umicore’s Metal Deposition Solutions (MDS) unit uses the metal to make electroplating products for technical and decorative applications. Its largest application is connector plating in the electronics industry, with smaller amounts used in jewelry.
Precious Metals Refining (PMR) in Hoboken, Belgium, plays a central role in this value chain, recovering ruthenium from multiple sources, such as spent catalysts, used electronics and industrial by-products. Together with our Precious Metals Management activities, Umicore markets, trades and supplies ruthenium from different global sources including our own refined ruthenium to customers worldwide.