Description

Platinum (atomic symbol Pt) is a relatively rare, chemically inert metallic element that is more valuable than gold. Platinum is a grayish-white metal that has a high fusing point, is malleable and ductile, and has a high electrical resistance. Chemically, platinum is relatively inert and resists attack by air, water, single acids, and ordinary reagents. Platinum is the most important of the six-metal group, which also includes ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, and iridium. The word "platinum" is derived from the Spanish word platina meaning silver.

Platinum is one of the world's rarest metals with new mine production totaling only about 5 million troy ounces a year. All the platinum mined to date would fit in the average-size living room. Platinum is mined all over the world with supplies concentrated in South Africa. South Africa accounts for nearly 80% of world supply, followed by Russia, and North America.

Because platinum will never tarnish, lose its rich white luster, or even wear down after many years, it is prized by the jewelry industry. The international jewelry industry is the largest consumer sector for platinum, accounting for 51% of total platinum demand. In Europe and the U.S., the normal purity of platinum is 95%. Ten tons of ore must be mined, and a five-month process is needed, to produce one ounce of pure platinum.

The second major consumer sector for platinum is for auto catalysts, with 21% of total platinum demand. Catalysts in autos are used to convert most of vehicle emissions into less harmful carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor. Platinum is also used in the production of hard disk drive coatings, fiber optic cables, infra-red detectors, fertilizers, explosives, petrol additives, platinum-tipped spark plugs, glassmaking equipment, biodegradable elements for household detergents, dental restorations, and in anti-cancer drugs.

Palladium (atomic symbol Pd) is very similar to platinum and is part of the same general metals group. Palladium is mined with platinum, but it is somewhat more common because it is also a by-product of nickel mining. The primary use for palladium is in the use of automotive catalysts, with that sector accounting for about 63% of total palladium demand. Other uses for palladium include electronic equipment (21%), dental alloys (12%), and jewelry (4%).

Rhodium (atomic symbol Rh), another member of the platinum group, is also used in the automotive industry in pollution control devices. To some extent, palladium has replaced rhodium. Iridium (atomic symbol Ir) is used to process catalysts, and it has also found use in some auto catalysts. Iridium and ruthenium (atomic symbol Ru) are used in the production of polyvinyl chloride. As the prices of these metals change, there is some substitution. Therefore, strength of platinum prices relative to palladium should lead to the substitution of palladium for platinum in catalytic converters.

Platinum futures and options and palladium futures are traded at the CME Group. Platinum and palladium futures are traded on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM). The CME platinum futures contract calls for the delivery of 50 troy ounces of platinum (0.9995 fineness) and the contract trades in terms of dollars and cents per troy ounce. The CME palladium futures contract calls for the delivery of 50 troy ounces of palladium (0.9995 fineness), and the contract is priced in terms of dollars and cents per troy ounce.

Prices - CME platinum futures prices (Barchart.com symbol PL) on the nearest-futures chart in 2021 rallied to a 7-1/2 year high of $1,290.6 per troy ounce in February, but then faded to close the year down -10.3% at $964.4. CME palladium futures prices (Barchart.com symbol PA) on the nearest-futures chart in 2021 rallied to a then-record high of $2985 per troy ounce in May but then faded to close the year down -22.1% at $1908.

Supply - World mine production of platinum in 2021 rose +8.4% yr/yr to 180,000 kilograms and remained well below the 2006 record high of 218,000 kilograms. South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum by far, with 72.2% of world production in 2021, followed by Russia with 10.6%, Zimbabwe with 8.3%, and the U.S. with 2.3%. World mine production of palladium in 2021 was down -7.8% at 200,000 kilograms, the lowest since 2014. The world's largest palladium producers were South Africa with 40.0% of world production in 2021, Russia with 37%, Canada with 8.5%, and the U.S. with 7.0%. World production of platinum group metals other than platinum and palladium in 2020 fell -3.2% yr/yr to 60,770 kilograms, below the 2005 record high of 77,700 kilograms.

U.S. mine production of platinum in 2021 was unchanged yr/yr at 4,200 kilograms, below the record high of 4,390 kilograms posted in 2002. U.S. mine production of palladium in 2021 fell -4.1 yr/yr to 14,000 kilograms, below the record high of 14,800 kilograms posted in 2002. U.S. refinery secondary production of scrap platinum and palladium in 2018 fell -21.9% yr/yr to 51,400 kilograms, down from the 2016 record.

Trade - U.S. imports of refined platinum and palladium in 2021 for consumption rose +5.2% yr/yr to 384,500 kilograms. U.S. exports of refined platinum and palladium in 2021 fell -31.2% yr/yr to 74,300 ki1ograms, the smallest amount since 2011. The U.S. relied on imports for 70% of its platinum and palladium consumption in 2021.

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