About PGMs
Platinum group metals (PGMs) consist of six silver-white metals: platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. They occur together in nature and are produced from the same ore. PGMs are mined mainly in South Africa, Russia, and North America.
PGMs are used in or to produce:
- Catalytic converters: Catalytic converters or autocatalysts are the largest demand sector for PGMs and in 2021 accounted for over 71% of gross world demand for platinum, palladium and rhodium combined.
- Computer hard disks, mobile phones, aircraft turbines, glass, nitric acid, silicones etc. See the PGM uses section for more.
- Anti-cancer drugs, cardiac treatment, implants, dental applications.
- Fuel cell technology, hydrogen production, or in powertrain technologies for electric cars: a fuel cell using a catalyst of platinum and
ruthenium combines hydrogen with oxygen in a chemical reaction
PGM properties:
- indispensable in many industrial applications
- very durable
- highly resistant to wear, tarnish and chemical attack
- resist corrosion
- excellent catalytic properties
- highly recyclable (up to 99%)
- used rather than consumed
Fact Sheets
Our fact sheets cover the different stages of the supply chain (primary production/mining, secondary production/fabrication and recycling) as well as autocatalysts as an example application.
Further information on PGMs, their production and uses can be found using the links below.