S03E13: Urban Mining's Secret Weapon: The Man Who Tamed Diesel Cats - Interview Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenx Tech

Supply Chain Dialogues: Revolutionizing Catalytic Converter Recycling with Don Weatherbee

A conversation with Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenx Tech, about sustainable precious metal recycling from diesel catalytic converters*

**Host:** Daniel Helmig

Have you ever wondered what happens to the precious metals in your diesel vehicle's catalytic converter when it reaches the end of its life? Today's episode explores an innovative solution with Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenx Tech, who has cracked a code that traditional smelters couldn't touch: sustainably recycling precious metals from diesel catalytic converters.

What makes this story fascinating isn't just the innovative technology – it's the unexpected climate impact. While most smelters won't process diesel converters, Don's team has developed a groundbreaking process that not only recovers valuable metals like palladium and platinum but does it with just a fraction of the energy traditional methods use, dramatically reducing the carbon footprint across the entire supply chain.

## About Don Weatherbee and Regenx Tech

Don brings an accounting background and extensive mining experience to his role as CEO. Under his leadership since 2015, Regenx Tech has evolved from a junior exploration company to a pioneer in urban mining and materials processing technology.

The company's journey into catalytic converter recycling began in 2020 when Davis Recycling, a major U.S. recycler, approached them about processing diesel catalytic converters. After successful lab work and pilot testing, Regenx Tech established its main operations in Tennessee – strategically located to capture the Eastern seaboard market and benefit from excellent logistics infrastructure.

## The Technology: A Revolutionary Approach

Traditional catalytic converter recycling relies on smelting, but diesel converters pose unique challenges. Their silicon carbide honeycomb structure, designed to withstand higher operating temperatures, causes operational issues for conventional smelters. This created an opportunity for Regenx Tech's innovative hydrometallurgical approach.

The process involves:

1. Converting the honeycomb structure into a powder

2. Leaching precious metals from the material

3. Separating solids from the metal-rich solution

4. Precipitating the precious metals into a concentrated form

5. Sending the concentrate to an upgrader for final refinement to 99% purity

## Environmental Impact

The environmental advantages of Regenx Tech's process are striking. Traditional smelting produces approximately 1,500 kilograms of CO2 emissions per ton of processed material. In contrast, Regenx Tech's emissions are negligible, with no wastewater discharge and inert byproducts.

## Recovery Rates and Market Position

While the company initially reported 90% metal recovery rates, they're now achieving even higher results. Though slightly lower than smelting recovery rates, their process is commercially viable and, importantly, provides the only effective solution for diesel catalytic converters.

## Creating a Circular Economy

Regenx Tech's approach to the circular economy operates through two main channels:

1. Direct partnerships with OEMs who already have core return programs for parts

2. Collaborations with smelters who need alternative processing solutions for diesel converters

This system allows precious metals to be recovered and returned to manufacturers for new catalytic converter production, addressing the growing supply-demand imbalance in platinum group metals.

## Future Growth and Expansion

The company's growth strategy includes:

- Expanding their Tennessee facility from one to four modules

- Establishing a West Coast presence for comprehensive North American coverage

- International expansion through licensing partnerships, particularly in Asia and Europe

- Potential collaboration with existing smelting and refining industries

## Looking Ahead

Regenx Tech aims to become a global player in secondary refining within the next decade, providing a sustainable source of platinum and palladium outside traditional mining. With mining of platinum group metals unlikely to expand despite growing demand, their alternative source could prove crucial for future supply.

The company trades publicly as RGX in Canada and RGXTF in the U.S., actively seeking investments and partnerships to accelerate their growth and impact on sustainable precious metal recycling.

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*This transcript has been edited for clarity and readability. The Supply Chain Dialogues are produced and copyrighted by Helmig Advisory © 2025.*