Platinum
Platinum is rarer than gold, and compared to gold, only small quantities are mined each year due to its scarcity. Alongside palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium, platinum is one of the six platinum group metals. Due to its unique chemical properties and range of uses, platinum is highly sought after.
As one of the leading companies in the precious metals industry, Heraeus Precious Metals uses platinum and platinum alloys in a wide range of products and applications.
Primarily, platinum is used as a chemical catalyst in industrial processes and for exhaust gas purification in vehicles and industrial plants. Platinum is processed either as a single element or in the form of platinum-palladium and platinum-rhodium alloys as a catalyst. Approximately 50 percent of the global demand for platinum is attributed to this application area. Due to its high melting point and good corrosion resistance, platinum is also used in the production of laboratory equipment. The majority of crucibles, dishes, and lids manufactured by Heraeus are made of platinum and platinum-gold alloys. Additionally, Heraeus offers products for the manufacturing of optical and technical glasses, as well as platinum and platinum alloy glass fiber nozzles.
In addition, platinum-containing complexes such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are used in chemotherapy for certain types of cancer. Furthermore, due to platinum being corrosion-resistant to bodily fluids, it is used in pacemakers and other devices implanted in the human body.
In addition to the aforementioned product and application areas, platinum is used in an almost infinite number of other areas at Heraeus. Below is a detailed overview of the entire product portfolio and all application areas of platinum.
