Iridium is one of the rarest metals on Earth, but its importance is growing rapidly — especially in the future of clean energy and hydrogen production. 

Why Iridium Matters in Green Hydrogen 

Iridium plays a critical role in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, which is one of the leading technologies used to produce green hydrogen. In this process, iridium is used as a catalyst at the anode, where it helps split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen using electricity. 

Without iridium, PEM electrolysis simply doesn’t work efficiently. 

Extreme Rarity Meets Rising Demand 

What makes this especially important is just how rare iridium is. Annual global production is extremely small, and most iridium is recovered as a byproduct of platinum mining, primarily in South Africa. 

As hydrogen infrastructure expands worldwide, demand for iridium is expected to increase — putting pressure on an already limited supply. 

Why This Has Industry-Wide Implications 

Because iridium is essential for hydrogen electrolysis and cannot easily be substituted, its availability could become a bottleneck for large-scale hydrogen adoption. This makes iridium not just a precious metal, but a strategic material tied directly to future energy systems. 

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