IPA publishes six new Fact Sheets on PGMs' supply, demand, and trade for the EU SCREEEN project

The International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA) is pleased to announce the publication of a new series of six comprehensive Fact Sheets covering each of the platinum group metals (PGMs): platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.

Commissioned by the IPA and developed by independent consultancy SFA (Oxford), the Fact Sheets provide a data-driven overview of the role of PGMs in modern industry, their global supply and demand dynamics, and their strategic importance to Europe’s industrial ecosystem and energy transition.

Each Fact Sheet offers a detailed analysis of the respective metal’s unique physical and chemical properties, highlighting their critical function as highly efficient catalysts across a wide range of applications - from automotive emissions control and chemical processing to electronics, medical technologies and emerging hydrogen solutions. As underlined in the platinum Fact Sheet, PGMs are essential enablers of cleaner air and lower emissions, with catalytic technologies alone delivering substantial reductions in harmful pollutants over the lifetime of vehicles.

The series also examines market structures and supply chains, noting the strong geographical concentration of primary production, the strategic importance of recycling, and Europe’s reliance on imports to meet industrial demand. At the same time, the Fact Sheets emphasise the leading role of European companies in PGM-based technologies, innovation and advanced manufacturing.

Importantly, the Fact Sheets have been developed in the context of the EU-funded SCREEEN project (Solutions for Critical Raw Materials – a European Expert Network). SCREEEN supports the European Commission by providing expert analysis on critical raw materials, helping to strengthen resilience, sustainability and security of supply within the EU. Within this framework, the new IPA Fact Sheets contribute robust, up-to-date insights on PGMs as essential and strategic materials for Europe’s green and digital transitions.

Beyond market data, the Fact Sheets also address environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects, including responsible sourcing, regulatory frameworks, occupational health and safety, and ongoing efforts by industry to reduce environmental impacts. They highlight the growing role of circularity, with high recycling rates - particularly from spent automotive catalysts - helping to reduce the environmental footprint of PGM supply while enhancing resource efficiency.

By bringing together independent research, publicly available data and industry expertise, the six Fact Sheets form a valuable resource for policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers and the wider public seeking a deeper understanding of PGMs and their role in enabling a low-carbon future.

The full set of Fact Sheets is now available on the IPA website: The six metals - IPA - International Platinum Group Metals Association