Platinum demand for fuel cells at all-time high

Worldwide demand for platinum for use in fuel cells has reached an all-time high of 20,000 oz last year, according to Johnson Matthey publications manager Dr Jonathan Butler.

A greater number of uses for fuel cells will help drive the...

appetite for platinum group metals (pgms) , including platinum and ruthenium, which are used in the manufacture of the devices.

"Fuel cells are becoming more affordable, owing to reduced production costs and the industry's ability to reduce the amount of pgms per unit used in the application," Dr Butler explained.

He noted that the current fuel cell situation is analogous to when autocatalysts were introduced 30 years ago, which similarly drove up demand for pgms.

Cost problems associated with using pgms are being overcome as less metal is required.

The majority of fuel cells rely on pgms, as the metals are uniquely durable and efficient.

"Fuel cells offer advantages over incumbent technologies, and their use in a number of applications over the past five years has demonstrated their unique characteristics," Dr Butler added.