Bushings are a critical component in the manufacturing of glass fibres, a market that continues to see strong global demand growth driven by construction, automotive, wind energy and electronics applications. Traditionally, bushings are made from platinum due to the metal’s excellent high-temperature stability. The collaboration aims to partially substitute platinum with palladium to achieve lower material costs and increase demand for palladium.
A key challenge lies in identifying the optimal alloy composition. While increasing palladium content can significantly reduce costs, excessive substitution may compromise mechanical strength and lifetime under high-temperature operating conditions. To address this, Heraeus will apply and further adapt its proprietary DPH process – an oxide dispersion strengthening (ODS) technology – to enhance the material’s resistance and durability.
The project will cover alloy development prototyping and customer validation, planned over a two-year period. The aim is to bring market-ready bushing solutions that are specifically tailored to glass fibre applications such as E-glass fibres (alumino-borosilicate glass fibres used for production of reinforced plastics including printed circuit boards and wind turbine blades), where cost efficiency is a key driver.
For Sibanye-Stillwater, the collaboration is part of a broader strategy to foster new demand streams for palladium and support more balanced demand for platinum group metals (PGMs) that better match the basket of supply. By enabling the substitution of platinum in industrial applications, the project contributes to unlocking additional value for palladium while addressing evolving market dynamics.
Heraeus will contribute its expertise in research and development, precious metals processing, and commercialisation, with development activities taking place in Hanau, Germany, and Shanghai, China. Sibanye-Stillwater will support the project as a strategic partner, contributing its expertise in PGMs and enabling the exploration of new application areas for palladium.
About Heraeus Precious Metals
Heraeus Precious Metals is globally leading in the precious metals industry. The company is part of the Heraeus Group and covers the value chain from trading to precious metals products to refining and recycling. It has extensive expertise in all platinum group metals as well as gold and silver.
With more than 3,000 employees at 16 sites worldwide, Heraeus Precious Metals offers a broad portfolio of products that are essential for many industries such as the automotive, chemicals, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, hydrogen and jewelry industry.
Find more information on the Heraeus Precious Metals website: www.heraeus-precious-metals.com
About Sibanye Stillwater
Sibanye-Stillwater is a global mining and metals processing group with a diverse portfolio of operations, projects and investments across five continents. The Group is also one of the foremost global recyclers of a suite of metals and has interests in leading secondary mining operations.
Sibanye-Stillwater is one of the largest producers and refiners of platinum group metals (PGMs: platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium and ruthenium) and is a top-tier gold producer. It also produces nickel, chrome, copper, silver, cobalt and zinc. The Group has also diversified into mining and processing battery metals and has increased its presence in the circular economy by expanding its recycling and secondary-mining exposure globally.
For more information, see www.sibanyestillwater.com
