Platinum Group Metals Supply Chain Impacts from Emerging Technologies

CMI researchers from Idaho National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation 
Assessed the global economic outlook for Platinum Group Metals (PGM) markets.

Achievement 
Developed a System Dynamics (SD) model to analyze the effects of emerging demand (expected rise in EV and H2 electrolyzers) on the PGM supply, demand, and price.

Significance and Impact

  • Decline in demand of internal combustion engine vehicles causes an initial decrease in the PGM market value which is later compensated by increased iridium value due to higher demand for H2 electrolyzers.
  • Iridium’s limited supply and high intensity needs in electrolyzers may affect PGM market and hinder demand being met.

Hub Target Addressed 
Developing criticality assessments and supply chain analysis tools.

image of a line graph with four curves
Global PGM Market Value, for select vehicle deployment scenarios