The Platinum Market
An introduction to platinum
Platinum is the primary revenue driver for South African mines. The metal was used extensively in catalytic converters to control toxic emissions from both gasoline and diesel cars, but over time palladium has increasingly become the metal of choice in gasoline vehicles and has also replaced some of the platinum in diesel cars. Platinum jewellery has become popular in China and its popularity is growing in India, while the use of platinum has continued to be critical in oil refining, glass manufacturing and medical applications. The commercialisation of fuel cells and production of green hydrogen is also a key end-use for platinum.
Related platinum news and insights
The greening of hydrogen
26 November 2021 | Jeremy Coombes
Discover SFA's Hydrogen Metals Standard examining the factors that will determine green hydrogen supply and its uses, including hydrogen's limitations and advantages, costs and alternative production methods.
Where next for palladium?
14 September 2021 | Stephen A. Forrest, Beresford Clarke
Read SFA's latest edition of The Palladium Standard which discusses current palladium market dynamics, price outlook, and feature articles from selected players, as well as our latest platinum and rhodium outlooks.
Rand strength could help lift the platinum price
31 January 2022 | SFA (Oxford) & Heraeus – Edition 2
Outlook 2022 – Markets normalising in 2022
24 January 2022 | SFA (Oxford) & Heraeus – Forecast
Iridium and ruthenium were the only winners in 2021
17 January 2022 | SFA (Oxford) & Heraeus – Edition 1
December U.S. auto sales dropped sharply
4 January 2022 | Automotive News
Platinum in context, 1975 to 2021
Platinum supply-demand balance
| koz | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021f |
| Primary supply | |||||||||
| Regional | |||||||||
| South Africa | 4,355 | 3,135 | 4,480 | 4,265 | 4,385 | 4,470 | 4,405 | 3,255 | 4,625 |
| Russia | 740 | 740 | 710 | 715 | 720 | 665 | 710 | 705 | 590 |
| Zimbabwe | 405 | 405 | 405 | 490 | 480 | 465 | 460 | 480 | 495 |
| North America | 355 | 395 | 365 | 390 | 360 | 345 | 350 | 330 | 365 |
| Other | 215 | 200 | 200 | 185 | 185 | 180 | 185 | 175 | 160 |
| Total | 6,070 | 4,875 | 6,160 | 6,045 | 6,130 | 6,125 | 6,110 | 4,945 | 6,235 |
| Demand and recycling |
|||||||||
| Autocatalyst | |||||||||
| Gross demand | 3,135 | 3,240 | 3,250 | 3,360 | 3,300 | 3,105 | 2,835 | 2,320 | 2,745 |
| Recycling | 1,120 | 1,250 | 1,180 | 1,220 | 1,325 | 1,420 | 1,490 | 1,300 | 1,395 |
| Net demand | 2,015 | 1,990 | 2,070 | 2,140 | 1,975 | 1,685 | 1,345 | 1,020 | 1,350 |
| Jewellery | |||||||||
| Gross demand | 2,945 | 3,000 | 2,840 | 2,505 | 2,460 | 2,245 | 2,095 | 1,560 | 1,775 |
| Recycling | 855 | 755 | 510 | 625 | 560 | 500 | 500 | 415 | 440 |
| Net demand | 2,090 | 2,225 | 2,330 | 1,880 | 1,900 | 1,745 | 1,595 | 1,145 | 1,335 |
| Hydrogen | 5 | 25 | 25 | 45 | 45 | 70 | 40 | 40 | 75 |
| Industrial demand | 1,565 | 1,665 | 1,805 | 1,905 | 1,760 | 1,940 | 2,025 | 1,900 | 2,210 |
| Other recycling | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Gross demand | 7,645 | 7,930 | 7,920 | 7,815 | 7,560 | 7,360 | 6,990 | 5,820 | 6,805 |
| Recycling | 1,980 | 2,035 | 1,700 | 1,850 | 1,930 | 1,930 | 2,000 | 1,725 | 1,845 |
| Net demand | 5,665 | 5,895 | 6,220 | 5,965 | 5,665 | 5,430 | 4,990 | 4,095 | 4,960 |
| Market balance | |||||||||
| Balance (before ETFs) |
400 | -1,020 | -60 | 80 | 465 | 695 | 1,110 | 850 | 1,175 |
| ETFs (stock allocation) |
905 | 210 | -240 | -10 | 100 | -240 | 995 | 505 | |
| Balance after ETFs |
-500 | -1,230 | 180 | 90 | 365 | 935 | 125 | 345 | |
Source: SFA (Oxford). Updated November 2021.
Linked platinum market reports
SFA (Oxford) provides regular bespoke market intelligence reports on platinum as well as in-depth studies on recycling, metal flows and price setting.
The PGM Quarterly Market Outlook (3-year forecast)
Released every three months, this price risk-focused report details-impacting factors for platinum, palladium and rhodium markets for the next three years.
The 2031 PGM Market Outlook
Released Bi-annually, our highly-detailed 10-year view provides current, and long-term trends and influences acting on the global PGM markets.
The 2040 PGM Market Outlook
Released annually, this ground-breaking forward-looking report analyses the influences and trends on the PGM markets between 2030 and 2040.
Green Hydrogen Metals Market Outlook
A proprietary report unlocking the current and future demands for precious metals (Pt, Ir, and Ru) used in electrolysers and fuel cells for the hydrogen economy.
Heraeus Precious Appraisal and Market Spotlights
In collaboration with Heraeus, this weekly report makes sure all the key precious metal and macroeconomic developments are fully analysed by the SFA team.
Joining the Dots between Metal Flows and Prices
Unrivalled insights and definitive answers to PGM purchasing dynamics, metal flows, trading and pricing factors affecting platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Spent Autocatalyst Recycling
A comprehensive study of recycled autocatalysts from scrapyards, collection, decanners, smelting and refining players, technology developments and economics.
PGM Waste Streams Quantification and Audit
A detailed look at the precious metals recovered from PGM processing plant waste streams at concentrators, smelters and refineries, and tailings dams.
Evaluation of PGM Processing Utilisation
SFA's advanced mineral processing assessment offers offtake opportunities into existing PGM smelting, base metals and precious metals refining facilities.
Global PGM Project Monitor Outlook
DCF scenario modelling analysing the attractiveness of global PGM projects based on incentivised PGM pricing which can motivate new supply.
Long-term PGM Supply Appraisal Outlook
An evaluation on future supply risk from mines and projects around the world, and the economic cost of production.
Global PGM Mine Depletion Assessment
Analytics on the PGM primary production landscape, assessing estimated depletion rates of mines and projects, forecasting ounce loss.
North America PGM Market Outlook
An assessment of PGM purchasing, trade flows and end-use consumption as well as mapping key industry players for strategic investment.
China PGM Market Outlook
Bottom-up evaluation of the precious metals trading environment, regulatory framework, end-use markets, recycling volumes and key players.
Southeast Asia PGM Market Outlook
A critical impact study of PGM consumption by country of major-end uses, and future metal requirements by company.
India PGM Market Outlook
Detailed market intelligence on PGM demand and supply, major players and the recycling market to assist strategic planning.
Northern Hemisphere PGM Processing Report
Processing analytics, capacity utilisation rates, logistical flows and plant feeds for the PGM smelters, and refineries of North America, Europe and Russia.
Meet the PGM team
Trusted advice from a dedicated team of experts.
Stephen A. Forrest
Chairman
Henk de Hoop
Chief Executive Officer
Beresford Clarke
Managing Director: Technical & Research
Dr Jenny Watts
Head of Clean Energy & Sustainability
Dr Ralph Grimble
Operations Director
Jamie Underwood
Principal Consultant
Carol Lu
Associate Principal Analyst: China
Thomas Chandler
Principal Market Analyst
Oksan Atilan
Consulting Automotive Analyst
Alex Biddle
Senior Mining Analyst
Angus Butterfield
Consultant Analyst − Mining and Supply
Yolandé Fourie
Senior Consultant Metallurgist
Nelsa Martins
Consultant Metallurgist
Daniel Croft
Precious Metals Analyst
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