A long-term sensitivity analysis of future automotive technology and its impact on the PGM market out to 2040 — commissioned by a client

Where and when the expansions and contractions in demand will take place for each metal

An analysis was carried out of the influence of future powertrains on platinum, palladium and rhodium demand out to 2040.

Technological and legislative developments — commissioned by a mining company

Industry watching brief

SFA (Oxford) undertook a watching brief on all technological and legislative developments affecting PGM demand in autocatalyst end-uses.

Security of supply — commissioned by a car manufacturer

Security of PGM supply against new automotive technologies and product cycles

The review considered a car company’s future drive towards new automotive technologies where sourcing the right platinum group metals mix to meet the new challenges arising from the need for more environmentally friendly vehicles is a key factor. 

Insight into electric vehicle technology

Electric vehicle study, including batteries and lithium supply and demand

A major conglomerate selected SFA (Oxford) to provide an understanding of electric vehicle technology and associated battery developments, as well as an assessment of lithium supply and demand and of the market dynamics influencing long-term supply and demand.

Automotive catalyst end-uses — commissioned by a major mining corporation

Autocatalyst demand study

The team at SFA (Oxford) carried out an overview of automotive catalyst end-uses, including PGM requirements, industry trends, emissions legislation and metal substitution. We also produced historical autocatalyst PGM offtake data and forecast demand.

The impact of electric vehicles on future platinum and palladium demand — commissioned by a major conglomerate

Long-term market impact analysis out to 2040

The project also took account of country-by-country energy supplies, government policies and legislation, cities, and demographic considerations. In summary, using a range of electric vehicle sales growth scenarios to articulate the potential loss of PGM demand and market implications to the client.

A year-long study on the Chinese jewellery market

A full regional appraisal of platinum jewellery, including the value chain, players, metal movements, and influences on demand

A multi-faceted econometric model was developed to quantify platinum jewellery demand evolution now and in the future. The study involved on the ground interviews with jewellery industry players (fabricators, wholesalers and retailers). Demographic influences were also accounted for to ultimately plot platinum demand scenarios for tomorrow.

Lithium market intelligence

Security of lithium supply under varying outlooks for electric vehicle penetration

A major car manufacturer commissioned SFA to assess the long-term potential of the lithium market and product prices to assess new upstream investment opportunities.

Predictive jewellery modelling — commissioned by a client

A PGM jewellery demand study of jewellery elasticity to metal prices

SFA (Oxford) developed a robust, predictive model of platinum and palladium jewellery demand and price elasticities, helping to inform the company’s marketing activity with detailed forecasts of platinum and palladium demand and their sensitivities.

Jewellery marketing investment appraisal

Global investment appraisal

The SFA (Oxford) team provided insight on metal price demand elasticity, so as to illustrate the dynamics that impact manufacturers and retailers’ decisions regarding their platinum business.

The report highlighted the margins that apply in the jewellery pipeline from mine to the customer (retailer) to identify levels of marketing investment that can be achieved (net profit, net profit margin, and gross profit margin).

The pipeline was mapped by market, outlining the flow of platinum from importers and refiners through to consumers.

Strategic metals assessment to support tomorrow’s hydrogen economy — commissioned by a consortium of technological leaders

Hydrogen market assessment

SFA (Oxford) provided a detailed report and presentation to a consortium of fuel cell technology companies, major automakers, energy providers, technology companies, and manufacturers on the long-term supply security of platinum and iridium to support a budding hydrogen economy.

Lithium investment case on behalf for a major car manufacturer

Investment committee submission: independent report

Submitted a detailed report and lithium product price forecasts to the client to offer an independent evaluation of the impact of electric vehicles, electronics and industrial applications on lithium price projections. The report also provided project incentive pricing for hard rock mines and brine operations, and an appraisal of potential new project supply. 

Identifying new demand opportunities for PGMs — commissioned by major PGM producers

Commercial evaluation of the fuel cell value chain

Analysis of fuel cells, with a specific focus on technological feasibility, commercial potential, legislative support and market drivers, ownership of IP/licensing as well as company supply chains and commercial arrangements.

Tomorrow’s hydrogen opportunity — commissioned by a client

Evaluation of the hydrogen economy

SFA (Oxford) provided an independent assessment of the hydrogen economy, fuel cell technologies, green hydrogen production economics, supply chains, and major players to help assess investment opportunities.

PGM customers in the hydrogen economy — commissioned by a client

New customer targets

SFA (Oxford) identified and evaluated key PGM customers in the hydrogen economy, a good long-term hedge for PGMs as autocatalyst use declines, and potentially secure demand for iridium and ruthenium.

Broad contextualisation of a Russian miner and its relation to the global mining sector

Corporate appraisal for future investment

A conglomerate approached SFA (Oxford) to provide a high-level geological overview, together with future production capacity, metal sales and key customers. 

SFA offered insights into strategic opportunities and threats, and an assessment of the political and economic landscape. 

Monthly battery metals and materials watching brief

Regular insights into the global electrification drive and battery materials value chains

Commissioned by a major global automotive OEM, SFA’s monthly battery metals watching brief acts as a steer for clients navigating the battery materials supply chain. The newsletter covers the length and breadth of the battery supply chain, compiling news and analysis on notable developments across not only lithium, nickel and cobalt, but also other metals key to fleet electrification. The watching brief supports our client to keep track of the rapidly evolving landscape of battery production and recycling, and the legislative changes impacting gigafactory developments in the US, Europe and elsewhere.