Nornickel presented its strategy for the Center for Palladium Technologies (CPT) at the international PGMs Industry Day conference in South Africa

The company’s experts shared early-stage technological developments that could redefine the use of platinum group metals (PGMs), including applications in Africa’s priority sectors like energy, water purification, and electronics.

The goal of the Johannesburg event was to initiate dialogue with potential partners across the continent: research institutions, industrial firms, and tech startups.

“We aim to share expertise and collaborate with those who, like us, see palladium as a metal of the future,” said Dmitry Izotov, Head of the Center for Palladium Technologies, during the conference.

Nornickel established the Center for Palladium Technologies as a platform for developing new palladium-based solutions. The Center has launched over 25 scientific and technological projects, including advancements in solar and hydrogen energy, microelectronics, water disinfection, and chemical industries. By 2030, Nornickel plans to build a portfolio of 100+ palladium-based products.

Potential palladium applications highlighted at the South Africa conference:

• Boosting solar panel efficiency using a Pd layer to minimize light loss.Enhancing hydrogen fuel cell performance and lowering costs for green hydrogen production.
• Reducing expenses for conductive components in electronics through palladium-based alloys.
• Replacing costly iridium with palladium in OLED displays.

Nornickel also announced the nearing completion of its Palladium Lab in Moscow. Starting in fall 2025, the lab will open to professionals and serve as an entry point into the Center’s tech ecosystem.

“Our visit to South Africa is part of a global roadshow aimed not just at promoting our projects, but at listening, finding partners, and building an international network of collaborators. Africa holds vast untapped potential, and we believe combining local research and business efforts can drive sustainable development,” Izotov added.