How Platinum Improves Our World

Platinum is a critical metal for the health and wealth of the world, used in industries from manufacturing and healthcare to renewable power. According to the World Platinum Investment Council, industrial use of the precious metal has increased nearly fourfold since 1980. 

The WPIC has created an infographic highlighting some of platinum’s many uses. In healthcare, it has been used to make surgical tools since 1874 and is important today as it is easily visible under X-ray during keyhole surgery. It is also used in hearing devices, cochlear implants and pacemakers. 

Platinum’s properties make it critical to reducing air pollution and in the construction of energy-efficient fibreglass. Increasingly, fibreglass-based materials are used in the automotive industry, as this strong yet lightweight material helps reduce vehicle weight and meet fuel economy targets. Fibreglass is also used in construction as an insulating material to reduce heat loss. The renewable energy sector relies on high-quality glass components for solar panels and to make wind turbines. 

Platinum’s catalytic properties make it critical to cleaning up air pollution, producing renewable hydrogen and utilising the power of hydrogen in fuel cells, used in a growing number of electric vehicles. 

See the infographic here.