Johnson Matthey's latest review of the market for platinum group metals reveals that demand for platinum in fuel cells reached 20,000 oz for the first time in 2010. Most of the fuel cells sold to date contain platinum, with smaller amounts of ruthenium. Platinum group metals are used to catalyse the chemical reactions at the electrodes and offer unique durability, power density and efficiency. With fuel cells becoming increasingly mainstream, the implications for platinum demand are significant. 

Fuel cells have seen increasing commercial success in stationary power generation and niche vehicles such as fork lift trucks. The market for fuel cell back-up power for buildings and critical infrastructure such as mobile phone towers is growing rapidly, particularly in developing countries and in places prone to natural hazards. Fuel cells in these applications offer a unique combination of high efficiency, low pollution and long run-time.

Fuel cells are also commercial in niche vehicles such as forklift trucks, with thousands of vehicles deployed in warehouses, factories and airports around the world.

The full article, 'Fuel Cells: the Future is Now', can be read here

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