Chemicals and sustainable technologies provider Johnson Matthey, multinational mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater and platinum group metals (PGMs) mining company Valterra Platinum have launched a new programme to develop innovative technologies enabled by PGMs. 

In a joint media release, the companies explain that this collaboration brings together leading PGM producers and world-class research and development and industry expertise to accelerate the journey of new PGM-based products and technologies from research lab to commercialisation.

The programme aims to broaden the applications of PGMs far beyond their current use.

The companies point out that about 60% of global PGM supply is used in catalytic converters that reduce harmful emissions from internal combustion engines (ICEs).

This multimillion-pound, multi-year collaboration will explore and scale technologies that capitalise on the exceptional performance and durability of PGMs, as well as their robust, circular supply chains.

“PGMs are critical to the modern economy, so it's important we are innovative and ambitious in our efforts to find new applications for these incredible metals.

"By coming together, we're able to create a unique ecosystem to explore opportunities where PGMs could provide even more benefits and progress the technologies that best support the PGM industry and the global economy,” says Johnson Matthey chief technology officer Liz Rowsell.

The collaboration, expected to expand with additional partners in the coming months, will explore uses across multiple sectors including clean hydrogen, enhanced emissions detection and reduction across stationary and mobile sources, new electronic materials and high-performance alloys and other advanced materials.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Johnson Matthey and Valterra on this critical market development initiative.

“We believe this collaboration should successfully develop alternative industrial applications for PGMs, securing and diversifying future demand. The focus will be on the entire basket of PGMs and developing a better supply and demand balance for the basket of metals,” says Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Richard Stewart.

“PGMs have extraordinary potential, and through this collaboration with Johnson Matthey and Sibanye-Stillwater, we can accelerate innovation that will better our world.

“This reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a sustainable pipeline of PGM-enabled technologies that will define the next era of demand,” adds Valterra CEO Craig Miller.