Uses & Applications

Applications and End-Uses for Rhodium

Rhodium (Rh) 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 Rhodium is consumed provides essential context for supply chain planning, investment analysis, and policy development.

Key Applications

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

• Three-way catalytic converters — Rhodium plays a vital role in three-way catalytic converters, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Chemical process catalysts — Rhodium plays a vital role in chemical process catalysts, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Glass manufacturing — Rhodium plays a vital role in glass manufacturing, where its unique physical and chemical properties provide performance advantages that are difficult to replicate with alternative materials.
• Electrical contacts — Rhodium plays a vital role in electrical contacts, 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 Rhodium is three-way catalytic converters, which accounts for a substantial share of global demand. The second most significant application is chemical process 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 Rhodium in the coming decade.

Demand Outlook

With a criticality level of high and a supply risk rating of high, the demand trajectory for Rhodium 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.