At the 49th Annual IPMI Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, Ed and Rich sat down with Lyle Peluso Jr., Director of Business Development North America for Safina Materials, to explore how platinum and other PGMs are being used in groundbreaking applications. Safina, a company with roots dating back over a century, is now bringing its European expertise in refining and manufacturing PGMs to the U.S. market. 

Safina’s Legacy and Focus on PGMs 

Safina has been based in Prague since the 1920s and has become one of Europe’s most innovative industrial PGM manufacturers. Known for tackling complex, high-heat, and high-value applications, the company is now expanding its footprint in North America — with a strong focus on platinum solutions. 

Platinum in Hydrogen Manufacturing 

One of the most exciting areas of growth is hydrogen production. Platinum plays a critical role in electrolysis, used on anodes and in hydrogen fuel technologies. 

Traditionally, only about 40% of the platinum in these applications was actually utilized. Safina developed a solution that allows hydrogen manufacturers to use 80–90% of their platinum — doubling efficiency and dramatically reducing costs. 

Replacing Rhodium With Platinum 

Safina is also advancing platinum grain products that can replace or reduce rhodium use in aerospace, high-heat, and thermal coupling applications. Given rhodium’s extreme cost and volatility, platinum-based alternatives provide more stability for industries like aerospace, glass manufacturing, and thermacouple wiring. 

High-Tech Applications: From Aerospace to Glass 

Platinum and platinum alloys are being used across industries that demand precision and durability in extreme environments: 

• Aerospace: Temperature-resistant wiring and components. 

• Glass manufacturing: Platinum-rhodium bushings for fiberglass production. 

• Semiconductors: Temperature sensing in tunnel furnaces and devices. 

• Medical & industrial markets: Specialty powders and alloys. 

Safina’s ability to manufacture ultra-fine wiring and specialized alloys gives them a leading edge in supplying these industries. 

Closing the Loop: Recycling and Sustainability 

For Safina, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s built into their operations. By recycling high-purity PGMs, the company ensures metals are continually refined, reused, and returned into the production cycle. 

This closed-loop model maximizes resource efficiency, reduces waste, and ensures precious metals are never lost to landfills or inefficient processes. In today’s market, that also means meeting growing demand for circular economy solutions. 

Emerging Markets: 3D Printing and New Insulation Technology 

Beyond traditional industries, Safina is exploring: 

• 3D printing powders for additive manufacturing. 

• Advanced insulation materials that could replace outdated technologies like fiberglass. 

While some projects remain confidential, these innovations signal the next wave of platinum-based applications in construction, aerospace, and manufacturing. 

Why It Matters for the PGM Market 

As recycling continues to feed secondary supply, innovations like Safina’s help ensure platinum and other PGMs remain at the forefront of industrial use. For recyclers, it’s a reminder that metals they handle daily are also powering next-generation technologies — from hydrogen to aerospace to 3D printing.

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