Nornickel is the world’s largest palladium supplier, and Krastsvetmet, is one of the world’s leading producers of precious metals and related products, showcased a new glass feeders technology with palladium alloy in Shanghai. This innovation is expected to significantly reduce ownership and maintenance costs for fiberglass producers.
The presentation supported by the China Precious Metals Industry Committee (CPMIC), brought together key industry players, including the China Forging Industry Association (CFIA).
Fiber glass is a versatile material used in various fields: from automotive and boat hulls to sports equipment, medical orthotics, and wind turbine components. It plays a critical role in green energy, where it is utilized for liquid storage tanks and solar panel frameworks.
The palladium alloy allows for lighter equipment structures without compromising technical performance. Palladium’s density is nearly half that of platinum, while both metals currently have comparable costs.
Global annual platinum demand for fiberglass production reaches 700,000 ounces. However, the actual platinum volume consumed over the lifecycle of glass feeders (production, recycling, replenishment, and reprocessing) is far higher. In China alone, this volume exceeds 3.5 million ounces, according to conference participants. They estimate that up to 50% of this platinum could be cost-effectively replaced with palladium, reducing expenses and boosting profitability for fiberglass producers.
Anna Karzhavina, Head of Product Commercialization at Nornickel’s Palladium Technology Center, commented: “Our development marks a major step forward in advancing fiberglass production technology in China. In a market where cost reduction and efficiency are paramount, we are confident this innovation will substantially lower production costs, unlocking new opportunities for innovation and growth.”
Alexey Kornienko, Development Director at Krastsvetmet, added: “The Chinese market is pivotal in driving fiberglass technology advancements. Our joint project with Nornickel aims to reduce costs while enhancing product competitiveness.”