Platinum plays a key role in clean energy because it acts as a super-efficient catalyst in technologies that cut pollution and produce power without fossil fuels. This rare metal helps speed up chemical reactions needed for hydrogen production, fuel cells, and sustainable fuels, making the shift to greener energy possible on a large scale.
One big reason platinum matters is in making green hydrogen. Green hydrogen comes from splitting water using electricity from renewable sources like wind or solar. Platinum makes this process work better in devices called proton exchange membrane electrolysers. These machines need platinum to efficiently separate hydrogen from oxygen. Without it, the reaction would be too slow or wasteful. Countries like China see hydrogen as central to their clean energy plans, using platinum in electrolysers for everything from fuel cell vehicles to steel production without coal.https://discoveryalert.com.au/pgm-catalyzed-water-splitting-mechanisms-2025/https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/chinas-strategic-critical-mineral-classification-of-platinum-its-investment-implications-for-global-pgm-supply-pricing-and-emerging-developers
Platinum also powers fuel cells, which turn hydrogen and oxygen into electricity with only water as waste. This makes fuel cells ideal for cars, trucks, buses, ships, and even power plants. The metal’s special properties let it handle high temperatures and resist corrosion while speeding up the energy conversion. As more zero-emission vehicles hit the roads, demand for platinum in these cells keeps growing.https://energy.sustainability-directory.com/question/what-are-the-impacts-of-pgm-reliance-on-production/https://www.imarcgroup.com/news/platinum-price-index
In sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, platinum steps in again. SAF uses captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen to make jet fuel that burns cleaner. Platinum boosts catalysts in the Fischer-Tropsch process, a key step that turns gases into liquid fuel. It also helps in isomerisation, which makes the fuel work in cold high-altitude conditions. Aviation groups predict SAF production jumping eight times by 2050, driving up platinum needs to offset losses from traditional oil refining.https://bioenergytimes.com/global-platinum-demand-set-to-rise-as-sustainable-aviation-fuel-production-expands/
Beyond new tech, platinum cuts emissions in cars and industry today. It cleans exhaust in catalytic converters on diesel and hybrid vehicles, meeting tough global rules. As the world tightens standards, this use stays strong even with more electric cars. The metal market hit 194 tons in 2025 and could grow to 271 tons by 2034, fueled by clean energy shifts.https://www.imarcgroup.com/news/platinum-price-indexhttps://goldsell.co.uk/what-is-platinum-used-for/
Platinum’s magic comes from its ability to catalyze reactions without getting used up. It is rare, mostly mined in a few spots, so supply stays tight as demand rises. Recycling from old converters helps, but new clean tech will need more. Efforts to find substitutes like nickel exist, but they often fall short on speed or lifespan.https://energy.sustainability-directory.com/question/what-are-the-impacts-of-pgm-reliance-on-production/
Sources
https://discoveryalert.com.au/pgm-catalyzed-water-splitting-mechanisms-2025/
https://bioenergytimes.com/global-platinum-demand-set-to-rise-as-sustainable-aviation-fuel-production-expands/
https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/chinas-strategic-critical-mineral-classification-of-platinum-its-investment-implications-for-global-pgm-supply-pricing-and-emerging-developers
https://www.imarcgroup.com/news/platinum-price-index
https://energy.sustainability-directory.com/question/what-are-the-impacts-of-pgm-reliance-on-production/
https://goldsell.co.uk/what-is-platinum-used-for/
https://matthey.com/products-and-markets/pgms-and-circularity
https://ww