Twenty Years Specializing in Air Pollution Control by Catalysis, SCR NOx Reduction, and Platinum Group Metals Technologies and Markets. Our Materials Characterization and Catalyst Development Laboratory performs Novel Research, Benchmarking and Catalytic Activity Testing.

Strategic Analysis

PGM Demand Strong Despite Weak Economy
Environex Market Perspective

Despite end of September weakness of platinum, palladium and rhodium prices, attributed by some to a weakening economic outlook in Europe and unemployment in North America, PGM demand will remain strong for the foreseeable future. Although economic growth remains tepid in most major markets, and even Asia is now struggling to maintain aggressive growth, PGM demand is strong.

This is particularly true in automotive sector which accounts for more than half of the demand for platinum, palladium and more than 80% for rhodium. By 2015, that segment will require over 40% more PGM than it does today, as vehicles need to meet tougher legislated emission levels, vehicle sales are growing in defiance of economic indicators, and fuel economy rules demand increasing metal use in the catalyst.

At current prices, it is difficult for miners to justify the capital investments necessary to supply metal to the market. This could work to create a very real deficit in supply.

Our focus on automotive catalyst technology, global emission control regulations, and consumer purchasing trends is particularly useful. Legislation, such as tightening US model-year 2011 through 2016 emission standards, and California's LEV-III rulemaking which seeks to reduce NOx and NMOG through 2025, and increasingly stringent legislation in high-growth areas puts constant pressure on demand for PGMs. Meanwhile, new locomotive, marine, and lawn and garden emission standards, Tier 4 and Tier 3 diesel engine emission standards, DOC and DPF retrofit mandates and incentives, increase the number and scope of engines which will require catalytic emission control. New fuels and powertrain technologies, combustion improvements, macroeconomic conditions, and shifting consumer preferences each add complexity to the PGM market and their associated materials.
Identifying Strategic Market Opportunities

Size Distribution and Growth of the Global Truck Market
- all trucks will be equipped with catalysts

We guide you through the complex PGM demand environment.
You make the informed strategic decisions necessary to make your business thrive.
 
Heavy Duty NOx and Particulate Emission Standards

Heavy Duty NOx and Particulate Matter (PM) Emission Standards

Rapidly evolving emission controls for trucks are but one example of the many PGM applications we monitor. Timely strategic analyses of new and emerging markets for PGM applications are our specialty. Your company may have a strong interest in understanding the important drivers that influence the markets for components and associated materials with these PGM catalysts. Contact our experienced researchers to help you with formulating a meaningful strategy.

Niche Metals

We provide supply/demand analysis of niche, or specialty precious metals, including rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru) and iridium (Ir) in non-automotive applications. We have the expertise to analyze a wide array of rare, precious, and base metals, particularly those used in high-tech applications. These metals are important to many state of the art technologies including, but not limited to, catalysts for advanced biofuel production (such as HDRD), OLED’s and WOLED’s, display glass (LCD’s and PDP), premium sparkplugs, specialty alloys such as those used in advanced turbine blades, hard disk drives (HDD’s), MRAM, and STT-MRAM.