Iridium (Ir): Uses, Supply Chain and Market
Facts checked against sources on . How we check facts.
Iridium is one of the six platinum-group metals, and South Africa is the world leading producer of platinum-group-metal-containing mined material. USGS does not estimate US net import reliance for iridium. Iridium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian.
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official critical minerals lists (US, EU, Australia, Canada) that include iridium
Which countries produce iridium?
USGS publishes country production figures only for palladium and platinum and says information is insufficient to estimate world production of iridium, rhodium and ruthenium. It names South Africa as the world leading producer of PGM-containing mined material and Russia as the leading producer of mined palladium.
What is iridium used for?
- Platinum-group metal uses: USGS does not split platinum-group metal uses by metal. The leading use is catalytic converters that cut harmful emissions from automobiles. Other uses it names are catalysts for bulk chemical production and petroleum refining, dental and medical devices, electronics (computer hard disks, hybridized integrated circuits and multilayer ceramic capacitors), glass manufacturing, investment, jewelry and laboratory equipment.
- Catalysts: USGS notes that iridium and tin in a platinum-reforming catalyst has achieved commercial success as a substitute for rhenium
How much does iridium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of iridium at $4,400/oz (iridium, average; -9% on 2024). Full iridium price page.
Is iridium a critical mineral?
Iridium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian. Each government builds its list with its own method, so a mineral can be critical in one place and not in another.
| Jurisdiction | Status |
|---|---|
| United States | Critical mineral (final 2025 list) |
| European Union | Critical and strategic |
| Australia | Critical minerals list |
| Canada | Critical |
Lists last checked against the primary publications on October 12, 2026. See the comparison of all four lists.
What are the substitutes for iridium?
| Application | Substitute and trade-off |
|---|---|
| Industrial end uses | One platinum-group metal can substitute for another, with losses in efficiency |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Platinum-group metals. USGS says substitutes often cost performance or money; the table gives its wording for each application.
Can iridium be recycled?
About 140,000 kilograms of palladium and platinum were recovered globally from new and old scrap in 2025, including about 50,000 kilograms of palladium and 8,600 kilograms of platinum from automobile catalytic converters in the United States.
What are the supply risks and recent events for iridium?
- 2025. US imports of iridium were an estimated 2,200 kilograms against 1,360 kilograms in 2024, and the Defense Logistics Agency stockpile schedule listed potential disposals of 15 kilograms of iridium in fiscal year 2025.
- 2025. The annual average price of iridium fell 9% while platinum rose 25%, rhodium 24%, palladium 11% and ruthenium 53%.
Resources. World resources of platinum-group metals are estimated to total more than 100 million kilograms. The largest resources and reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.
Which companies produce or process iridium?
4 companies are profiled, including Impala Platinum (Implats), Valterra Platinum, Johnson Matthey. Full iridium companies page.
Frequently asked questions
What is iridium used for?
Iridium is used in platinum-group metal uses and catalysts. Platinum-group metal uses: USGS does not split platinum-group metal uses by metal. The leading use is catalytic converters that cut harmful emissions from automobiles. Other uses it names are catalysts for bulk chemical production and petroleum refining, dental and medical devices, electronics (computer hard disks, hybridized integrated circuits and multilayer ceramic capacitors), glass manufacturing, investment, jewelry and laboratory equipment.
Where is iridium produced?
USGS publishes country production figures only for palladium and platinum and says information is insufficient to estimate world production of iridium, rhodium and ruthenium. It names South Africa as the world leading producer of PGM-containing mined material and Russia as the leading producer of mined palladium.
Is iridium a critical mineral?
Yes. Iridium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian. Iridium was already on the 2022 US list and stays on the final 2025 list of 60 minerals. USGS does not estimate US net import reliance for iridium.
How much does iridium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of iridium at $4,400/oz (iridium, average; -9% on 2024).
Sources
Read on October 13, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Platinum-group metals. Production, reserves, uses, substitutes, recycling and events
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 7 and Figures 10A and 10B). Net import reliance, leading producer and price changes for critical minerals
- Federal Register: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1252
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Australia’s Critical Minerals List and Strategic Materials List
- Government of Canada: Canada’s critical minerals
- Impala Platinum: Annual Integrated Report for the year to 30 June 2026
- Implats: FY2026 results release (3 September 2026)
- Valterra Platinum: production report for the fourth quarter of 2025 (JSE announcement, 5 February 2026)
- Johnson Matthey: 2026 PGM market report release (14 May 2026)
- Johnson Matthey: PGM Services seminar page (27 June 2024)
- Heraeus Precious Metals: release with Sibanye-Stillwater (14 November 2023)
Related topics
Iridium companies
The companies page for iridium.
Iridium price
The price page for iridium.
Critical Minerals Lists Compared
The US, EU, Australian and Canadian lists side by side.
Platinum Group Metals
The six platinum-group metals and their supply.
Palladium
Profile of palladium.
Platinum
Profile of platinum.
