The Iridium Market
Iridium price drivers
An introduction to iridium
Iridium demand is highly diversified, led by electrochemical (chloralkali process electrodes), with crucibles for melting electronic materials, catalysis and alloys with other PGMs in jewellery and medical products significant too.
Iridium has recently performed strongly and the metal is well established in several processes and components where it will be quite difficult to substitute out. However, prospective end-users remain wary of committing to a metal perceived as having limited long-term supply and a track record of volatile prices.
SFA (Oxford) is the only company in the world to have derived iridium mine production volumes and developed detailed demand modelling of all major end-uses to provide an authoritative view of the current and future iridium market.
Iridium price news and insights
SFA's expert view on the palladium price spike
18 December 2023 | Dr Ralph Grimble
The palladium price surged last week due to a convergence of positive factors. The Fed acknowledged the peak in US inflation during its press conference, leading to a more dovish outlook for interest rates and a weaker US dollar, supporting commodity prices.
What does Heraeus’ new catalyst do for Ir and Ru markets?
15 November 2023 | Dr Jenny Watts
On 14 November, Heraeus and Sibanye-Stillwater launched a new electrocatalyst for green hydrogen production by PEM electrolysis. This ruthenium-based catalyst aims to overcome PEM electrolyser industry scaling-up concerns.
It’s safe-haven vs. speculation as gold hits new highs
11 March 2024 | SFA (Oxford) & Heraeus
Cost-cutting is yet to slice into South Africa’s platinum production
26 February 2024 | SFA (Oxford) & Heraeus
Vehicle electrification is not nessesarily one way traffic for PGMs
5 February 2024 | SFA (Oxford) & Heraeus
Palladium's premium to platinum may disappear this year
22 January 2024 | SFA (Oxford) & Heraeus
Iridium price in context, 1995 to 2021
Iridium market balance
koz | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021f | |
Primary iridium supply | |||||||||
South Africa | |||||||||
Russia | |||||||||
Zimbabwe | |||||||||
Other | |||||||||
Total iridium supply | 210 | 280 | 275 | 275 | 275 | 280 | 225 | 295 | |
Iridium demand |
|||||||||
Jewellery | |||||||||
Hydrogen | |||||||||
Automotive | |||||||||
Chemical | |||||||||
Electrical | |||||||||
Other | |||||||||
Total iridium demand | 190 | 210 | 225 | 235 | 230 | 240 | 235 | 255 | |
Iridium market balance | |||||||||
Iridium balance | 20 | 70 | 50 | 40 | 45 | 40 | -10 | 40 | |
Iridium price history | |||||||||
Iridium price (USD/oz) | 555 | 544 | 575 | 896 | 1,283 | 1,480 | 1,629 | 5,075 | |
Iridium price (GBP/oz) | 337 | 356 | 429 | 694 | 967 | 1,160 | 1,268 | 3,862 | |
Iridium price (EUR/oz) | 419 | 490 | 521 | 792 | 1,092 | 1,322 | 1,425 | 4,288 | |
Iridium price (CNY/OZ) | 3,424 | 3,414 | 3,829 | 6,044 | 8,536 | 10,225 | 11,220 | 32,751 | |
Iridium price (ZAR/oz) | 6,017 | 6,917 | 8,413 | 11,934 | 17,195 | 21,379 | 26,757 | 74,685 | |
Iridium price (JPY/oz) | 58,714 | 65,782 | 62,480 | 100,445 | 141,993 | 161,354 | 173,688 | 557,847 | |
Source: SFA (Oxford). Updated November 2021.
Linked iridium market reports
In response to requests for more regular iridium market intelligence, we now produce a bespoke quarterly iridium market report that allows you to keep up to date with this market.
Meet the Iridium team
Trusted advice from a dedicated team of experts.
Dr Jenny Watts
Head of Clean Energy & Sustainability
Lee Hockey
Precious Metals Expert
Alex Biddle
Senior Mining Analyst
Jamie Underwood
Principal Consultant
Dr Sandeep Kaler
Market Strategy Analyst
How can we help you?
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