Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Platinum

Platinum (Pt) is a high-criticality platinum group metal with a diverse range of industrial and technological applications. As global demand for advanced materials intensifies, understanding where and how Platinum is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

The primary end-uses of Platinum span multiple sectors, each contributing to its classification as a critical material. The following applications represent the most significant sources of global demand:

• Diesel catalytic converters — Platinum plays a vital role in diesel catalytic converters, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Hydrogen fuel cell catalysts — Platinum plays a vital role in hydrogen fuel cell catalysts, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Jewelry — Platinum plays a vital role in jewelry, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Chemical and petroleum catalysts — Platinum plays a vital role in chemical and petroleum catalysts, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Medical devices and implants — Platinum plays a vital role in medical devices and implants, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.

Sector Breakdown

The largest consuming sector for Platinum is diesel catalytic converters, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is hydrogen fuel cell catalysts, which has shown strong growth in recent years driven by technology adoption and regulatory requirements. Emerging applications across clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing are expected to expand the demand profile for Platinum in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of high and a supply risk rating of high, the demand trajectory for Platinum is closely monitored by governments and industry analysts. Its inclusion on the USGS critical minerals list underscores the strategic importance of securing stable supply for domestic industries. The European Union has similarly recognized its importance through inclusion on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Growing demand from electrification, digitalization, and defense modernization programs is expected to place additional pressure on existing supply chains.