Umicore: giving precious metals a new life

Gold does not only come from new mines

Precious metals are also found in electronics, catalysts and other products. At the end of their useful life, these metals can be professionally recovered and reused.

Umicore states that most of the precious metals for its investment bars come from its own recycling operations in Hoboken, Belgium. Its work connects industrial processing with precious metal production.

From complex materials to pure metal

Recycling involves more than simply melting a used product. Processing includes separating different metals, refining them and checking the resulting composition.

Recovered gold and silver can then become raw materials for new products. Umicore also produces high-purity metals and large bars for the professional market.

Recycled origin does not mean lower quality

Properly refined gold does not have a lower fineness simply because it was recycled. The finished product’s specifications and the quality of the manufacturing process are what matter.

For an investment bar, check the manufacturer, weight, fineness and authenticity. Information about origin can add to the product’s story, but it does not replace its technical specifications.

What to compare before buying

When choosing an Umicore bar, follow the same approach as with other established manufacturers: compare the price per gram of fine metal, packaging and future resale terms.

Smaller weights allow a reserve to be divided among several pieces. Larger bars may offer a better price per gram, but they are generally sold as whole units.

At Golden House, we will be happy to help you compare available Umicore bars with other manufacturers according to your budget and desired flexibility.