World Platinum Investment Council

Platinum demand outstrips supply with 1.2 moz deficit now expected in 2020

London, 18 November 2020

2020 forecast shows supply down 18%, demand down only 5% and deficit of -1,202 koz
First 2021 forecast shows supply up 17%, demand up 2% and deficit of -224 koz
Strong Q3 2020 recovery as lockdowns eased ─ supply up 48%, demand up 75%
Record investment demand forecast in 2020 on high global risk and platinum’s key role in the hydrogen economy
Chinese jewellery demand for 2021 forecast to rise for the first time in seven years
Third consecutive annual deficit for platinum expected in 2021

“Developments in quarter three, including the V-shaped recoveries in automotive markets, pandemic-related risk driving precious metal investment demand and severely reduced supply, have all contributed to the expected 1.2 million ounce deficit in 2020 and 224 koz deficit in 2021.

As we now consider the economic cost of the pandemic, platinum has a role to play in providing other solutions. Questions are being raised about how quickly we transition from the internal combustion engine to electric vehicles, and the vast sums needed to support the associated infrastructure. As combatting climate change remains a fundamental priority, the focus on the cost of reducing CO₂ has convinced 70 countries, plus the EU and China, to recognise green hydrogen as the best route to decarbonisation. We have now reached the point where decarbonisation and hydrogen are mentioned in the same breath, with strategies and policies being implemented to ensure the hydrogen economy will be driven forward over the next 15 years.

Platinum plays a key role in the production of green hydrogen and in fuel cells for electric vehicles. Material demand growth from this will be realised in the 5 to 10 year period. However, the interest of many investors, who had not previously considered platinum, has been piqued by this strategic underpin to the long-term demand for this unique metal. When these investors take a closer look, they see that platinum’s deep discount to gold and palladium and the cost effectiveness and low CO₂ of the mild-hybrid diesel powertrain greatly enhance the likelihood of investment demand growth.

The response of the platinum price to address its discount to gold and palladium has been slower than most expected this year. We believe that the hiatus that happened in the platinum futures market, initially caused by pandemic-related transport restrictions, has contributed to this numbed response.

Another indirect consequence of COVID-19 can be seen in the forecast of growth for platinum jewellery in China. Jewellery manufacturers in China recall the benefit in 2009 of their metal purchases to increase their stocks when the platinum price collapsed. They increased stock levels during the March pandemic-driven price fall. Producing, promoting and selling platinum jewellery locks in the value of that discount, offering better margins than gold to manufacturers and retailers. With platinum jewellery demand falling every year for the past seven years, the fact it is forecast to increase in 2021 is good news indeed.

Today’s report is the 25th edition of our Platinum Quarterly and represents a milestone in our organisation’s history. The commitment we made in 2014 to provide actionable insights to investors has certainly been put to the test in 2020, and we look forward to providing meaningful and valued insight to all concerned for the next 25 editions and beyond.”

Paul Wilson, chief executive officer of WPIC

The World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) today published the 25th edition of its Platinum Quarterly for the third quarter of 2020, which also includes the first forecast for 2021.

Despite the strong quarter-on-quarter recovery in mine and recycle supply, the stellar rebound in automotive demand and sustained strong investment demand for precious metals, including platinum, lifted Q3’20 platinum demand well above supply, leaving the quarter in a deficit of -709 koz. The deficit in 2020 is now expected to be just over 1.2 million ounces, with the outlook for 2021 a forecast deficit of -224 koz.

Overall, Q3’20 saw large sections of the market, both supply and demand, returning to near-pre-COVID-19 operational levels as global economic conditions improved compared to the first half of 2020.

Total platinum supply in Q3’20 was down by 5% from Q3’19; modest when compared to the 36% year-on-year fall in Q2’20. Total mine supply grew to within 4% (-66 koz) of the Q3’19 level as operations ramped up capacity over the quarter. However, the total mine supply forecast for 2020 sees a 21% fall (-1,300 koz) year-on-year with c.-400 koz due to COVID-19-related mine shutdowns and c.-900 koz due to the impact of the converter plant outage in the first half, compounded by the recent announcement of a similar outage in the last two months of 2020. The latest outage will alone reduce supply by c.-350 koz this year.

Platinum investment demand rockets and is set to remain high

Investment demand increased considerably in Q3’20, up year-on-year by 291% (+730 koz), with significant year-on-year rises in ETF demand (increase of +336 koz) and bar and coin demand (increase of +42 koz). This was aided by the increase in stocks held by exchanges (primarily NYMEX approved warehouse stocks) which rose by +351 koz year-on-year as market making banks continue to increase these stock levels. Investment demand is expected to grow by 32% (+406 koz) in 2020, as precious metals including platinum remain an attractive alternative investment, supported by platinum’s deep discount to gold. A healthy 123% increase in bar and coin investment is forecast for 2020, and demand will continue to remain high by historical standards going into 2021.

Automotive demand bounces back 70% in Q3 quarter-on-quarter with 24% annual growth forecast in 2021

Despite COVID-19 workplace requirements in plants impacting capacity across the globe, pent-up vehicle demand and incentives in Europe and elsewhere drove growth in global automotive production levels. Consequently, automotive demand for platinum in Q3’20 was just 3% below Q3’19. The early adoption by some cities and provinces of China 6 legislation for light duty vehicles and the ramp-up of heavy duty vehicles’ compliance requirements to China VI saw China platinum auto demand growth of 68% (+30 koz) year-on-year in Q3’20.

A 24% (+575 koz) annual increase in global automotive demand for platinum is forecast in 2021 as light duty vehicle production is set to increase 15%, and heavy-duty vehicle production grows by 5%. Increased loadings to meet more stringent emissions levels will also benefit the demand for platinum. So too will the potential for some platinum being used in place of palladium in gasoline autocatalysts and some shift from palladium to platinum in diesel after-treatment systems. Substitution in gasoline engines is expected mainly in China and North America in 2021. The price of palladium remains over $1,000 per ounce above platinum, maintaining a high incentive for substitution, particularly as automaker profits suffer from lower sales.

Chinese jewellery demand forecast to rise in 2021 for the first time in seven years

Global platinum jewellery demand in Q3’20 bounced back by 27% quarter-on-quarter as pandemic-related restrictions eased, with a 14% (+29 koz) increase in China. Looking to 2021, global jewellery demand is forecast to gain 13% (+246 koz), with all regions seeing double-digit growth.

Low platinum prices prompted strong imports of platinum into China during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic by jewellery manufacturers. As China’s government is expected to maintain their successful virus containment protocols, consumption is expected to continue to improve, with platinum jewellery demand expected to increase in 2021 by 13% (+107 koz) - the first annual rise since 2013.

For any media requests, please contact:

Guy Bellamy / Jim Follett
Elephant Communications

+44 (0)7766 775216 / + 44 (0)7908 551571
[email protected]