2024 platinum market deficit forecast to exceed one million ounces

Supply forecast to weaken further, falling 1% to 7,089 koz in 2024, 6% below the 5-year average, while total demand now expected to grow 3% to 8,118 koz
Investment demand of 517 koz forecast for the year, boosted by ETF inflows and strong growth in bar and coin demand in China, especially in the large bullion bar category (500g and above, now included in demand figures)
A jump in jewellery demand in Q2’24 contributes to overall 7% increase for the year in this segment
Automotive and industrial demand both forecast to increase 1% in 2024, from already elevated levels

LONDON, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The World Platinum Investment Council – WPIC® – today publishes its Platinum Quarterly for the second quarter of 2024 and a revised full year 2024 forecast.

Global platinum demand in Q2’24 rose 13% year-on-year to 2,421 koz. This increase was driven by robust growth in the investment (+137% year-on-year) and jewellery (+5%) sectors, complementing stable demand from the automotive and industrial segments. On the supply side, despite growth in mine production and a stabilisation in secondary supply, total global supply, at 1,958 koz, fell well short of demand, resulting in a 464 koz deficit.

For the full year, total platinum supply is expected to decline by 1% from the already weak levels of 2023, reaching 7,089 koz. While recycled supply is forecast to see a modest year-on-year increase of 2% to 1,581 koz, this gain will be offset by a 2% year-on-year decrease in mined supply, which is projected to drop to 5,508 koz. On the demand side, robust growth is expected to drive total demand to 8,118 koz, leading to a substantial market deficit of 1,028 koz in 2024.

Investment demand projected to reach 517 koz in 2024

It is important to note that, for the first time, the Q2’24 Platinum Quarterly report includes an expanded scope that accounts for purchases of bullion bars, 500g and above, in China, made possible by access to more granular market data. In Q2’24, these purchases doubled from Q2’23 levels, reaching 41 koz, and are expected to achieve 40% year-on-year growth for full year 2024, reaching 188 koz.

During Q2’24 investment demand surged to its highest level since Q3’20, driven by a substantial inflow of 444 koz into platinum ETFs. This strong ETF performance, along with large bar (500g and above) demand in China, more than offset a sharp 63% decline in bar and coin investment, which fell to 17 koz due to net disinvestment in Japan and reduced buying in North America. Exchange-held stocks decreased by 40 koz to 174 koz.

Total investment demand in 2024 is projected to reach 517 koz, marking a 15% year-on-year increase. Platinum ETF holdings are expected to increase by 150 oz (albeit a reduction on the inflows seen during Q2’24). Strong growth in physical investment in China, especially in the large bar (500g and above) category, will more than offset weak bar and coin demand elsewhere.

Platinum jewellery demand set to increase 7% driven by high gold prices

This quarter, global platinum jewellery demand surpassed 500 koz for the first time since Q4’21, marking a 5% year-on-year increase, aided by the widening price gap between platinum and gold. Platinum jewellery fabrication in India surged 15% year-on-year, fuelled by strong exports to the US, UK, and UAE, while fabrication in Europe and China increased 7% and 5%, respectively.

For full year 2024, historically high gold prices will help platinum jewellery demand grow by a projected 7% (+126 koz) year-on-year, reaching 1,994 koz. In India, jewellery fabrication is expected to demonstrate further strong growth with a 28% increase, while Japan’s demand is forecast to rise by 8% year-on-year to 365 koz, the highest level since 2019. Offtake in Europe is expected to reach a record high in our time-series, growing 4%. Meanwhile, demand in North America this year is also projected to reach a record high, growing 3%. Notably, fabrication in China is set to improve by 3%, reversing a decline in demand that has persisted since 2013.

Robust industrial demand boosted by 47% increase in glass demand

Industrial demand is forecast to reach 2,369 koz in 2024, marking a 1% year-on-year increase over the elevated levels of 2023. Glass demand in Q2 2024 increased by 48% year-on-year to 216 koz, due to Chinese LCD capacity expansions that were delayed from 2023. As a result, a 47% year-on-year increase in glass demand is expected for full year 2024.

Demand in the medical sector (+4% to 303 koz) and for hydrogen-based applications (+123% to 64 koz) is projected to rise year-on-year in 2024. Meanwhile, petroleum demand will soften (-3% to 153 koz), while electrical (+1% to 90 koz), and other industrial sectors (+2% to 582 koz) are expected to show modest year-on-year growth.

Overall, gains will offset a sharp decline in platinum chemical offtake, which dropped 48% year-on-year (-111 koz) to 122 koz in Q2’24, primarily due to a slowdown in China’s petrochemical industry. For the full year, chemical demand is expected to decrease by 31%, to 542 koz.

Automotive demand to increase 1% in 2024, despite fall in vehicle production

In Q2’24, global automotive platinum demand increased by 1% (+6 koz) to 820 koz, driven by a higher share of hybrid vehicles and the expanded use of platinum-rich trimetallic catalysts, particularly in North America.

Automotive platinum demand in 2024 is forecast to reach a seven-year high, growing by 1% year-on-year to 3,237 koz, despite a downward revision in global vehicle production estimates to 91.1 million units. This growth continues to be underpinned by softer consumer demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and the continuation of growth in hybrid vehicle numbers, alongside stricter emissions legislation and an increase in platinum-for-palladium substitution, which is forecast to reach 752 koz this year.

Total supply in 2024 to fall a further 1%, despite 4% pickup in Q2

Refined mine supply in Q2’24 saw a 4% year-on-year increase, reaching 1,540 koz, thanks largely to a 7% increase in output from South Africa, offsetting declines in other regions.

However, for full year 2024, cost-driven restructuring in South Africa is expected to result in a 2% year-on-year reduction in the country’s mined supply, which is forecast to fall to 3,883 koz. This, coupled with forecast declines in Russian output, is expected to lead to a 2% decrease in total mined platinum supply, falling to 5,508 koz, a four-year low.

Meanwhile, global recycling remained supressed in Q2’24, with only a 1% year-on-year increase (+4 koz), driven by a slight rise in spent autocatalyst recycling, offsetting declines in jewellery and electronic scrap. Recycling is expected to reach 1,581 koz for the full year, a 2% year-on-year increase, with the spent autocatalyst market expected to show some signs of stabilising after two years of declines, supported by improvements in the factors that previously disrupted the flow of materials from consumers to scrapyards and from scrapyards to refiners.

Finally, above ground stocks are forecast to decline for the second year in succession, with a 25% decline to 3,006 koz, hitting a four-year low and resulting in just over four months’ worth of demand cover.

Trevor Raymond, CEO of the World Platinum Investment Council, commented: “2024 will be the second consecutive year where the platinum market will experience a significant deficit, driven by robust demand and ongoing supply vulnerabilities. However, even with deficits of this magnitude, the platinum price appears unresponsive. For a long time, price setting has been influenced more by sentiment than by supply/demand fundamentals. Arguably, one of the key factors driving sentiment has been expectations of a continued and inevitable decline in automotive demand for platinum in the wake of Dieselgate, in combination with expectations of a rapid electrification of the global drivetrain. As things stand, while Dieselgate has led to a dramatic decline in diesel passenger vehicle production, growing substitution of platinum into gasoline catalytic converters, coupled with much slower than anticipated electrification, means that automotive demand for platinum is now well above pre-Covid levels. Drivetrain electrification is expected to continue to slow, and with increasing hybridisation of the drivetrain, we see sentiment shifting toward higher-for-longer automotive platinum demand. We expect this shift in sentiment, supported by consecutive deficits that are rapidly depleting above ground stocks, will result in platinum’s strong underlying fundamentals playing a more prominent role in establishing its market value.

“WPIC’s market development activities, including the annual Shanghai Platinum Week, and growing number of product partners in China have been instrumental in achieving the significant growth in investment demand in that region. This area of demand, which has been growing for several years, from 31 koz in 2019 to 186 koz in 2023 and is now fully included in our published demand data, is making a significant contribution to the overall market deficit and is poised for further growth. Notably, combining coin and both small and large bars in China, overall demand is forecast to surge by an impressive 34% this year.

“The relevance of platinum’s growing role in the hydrogen economy remains as strong as ever. Our forecast for 2024 predicts a significant increase in demand, albeit off a small base, but demonstrating the momentum in the industry. The ongoing allocation and deployment of over US$300 billion in tax incentives and subsidies from governments worldwide continue to support and potentially accelerate platinum demand in the hydrogen sector. This trend is steadily capturing the attention of global investors, offering a compelling opportunity to engage with assets connected to global decarbonisation efforts.”

Disclaimer

Neither the World Platinum Investment Council nor Metals Focus is authorised by any regulatory authority to give investment advice. Nothing within this document is intended or should be construed as investment advice or offering to sell or advising to buy any securities or financial instruments and appropriate professional advice should always be sought before making any investment. For further information, please visit www.platinuminvestment.com.

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