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How palladium can help tackle climate change and save billions

In the summer of 2025, five cities of Nornickel's presence hosted the PonesLos marathon eco-camps for environmental volunteers.

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The transition to clean energy is impossible without critical materials, and palladium is one of them. Today 80% of global demand for this metal comes from the automotive industry, where it is used to clean exhaust gases. But its potential extends far beyond that. Palladium can help reduce the cost of hydrogen energy, improve the efficiency of solar panels, replace gold in microelectronics, and make chemical production more environmentally friendly. Nornickel is the world’s leading palladium producer. How familiar are you with this metal’s properties and its role in future technologies?

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What group of metals does palladium belong to?
Palladium (Pd) is a platinum-group metal, together with platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), and osmium (Os). These are noble metals valued for their rarity, attractive appearance, and corrosion resistance. Palladium is the lightest metal in this group and an excellent catalyst, which is why it is used in automotive catalytic converters and the chemical industry. It can also absorb up to 900 times its own volume of hydrogen and selectively allow hydrogen to pass through, a property used in membrane technologies.

Palladium (Pd) is a platinum-group metal, together with platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), and osmium (Os). These are noble metals valued for their rarity, attractive appearance, and corrosion resistance. Palladium is the lightest metal in this group and an excellent catalyst, which is why it is used in automotive catalytic converters and the chemical industry. It can also absorb up to 900 times its own volume of hydrogen and selectively allow hydrogen to pass through, a property used in membrane technologies.

Palladium (Pd) is a platinum-group metal, together with platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), and osmium (Os). These are noble metals valued for their rarity, attractive appearance, and corrosion resistance. Palladium is the lightest metal in this group and an excellent catalyst, which is why it is used in automotive catalytic converters and the chemical industry. It can also absorb up to 900 times its own volume of hydrogen and selectively allow hydrogen to pass through, a property used in membrane technologies.
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What color is pure palladium?

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Palladium is a silvery-white metal that resembles platinum. It does not rust or tarnish in air and retains its shine thanks to a protective oxide film. Like platinum, it is used in jewelry, but not in pure form; it is usually alloyed with silver, copper, or nickel to improve strength and shape retention.

Palladium is a silvery-white metal that resembles platinum. It does not rust or tarnish in air and retains its shine thanks to a protective oxide film. Like platinum, it is used in jewelry, but not in pure form; it is usually alloyed with silver, copper, or nickel to improve strength and shape retention.

Palladium is a silvery-white metal that resembles platinum. It does not rust or tarnish in air and retains its shine thanks to a protective oxide film. Like platinum, it is used in jewelry, but not in pure form; it is usually alloyed with silver, copper, or nickel to improve strength and shape retention.
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What share of global palladium production does Nornickel  account for?

Nornickel is the largest producer of palladium, with a 40% share of the global market. The company develops new palladium-based materials for high-tech industries such as microelectronics, hydrogen and solar energy, and green chemistry. Today, palladium from Nornickel is already used in every second car catalytic converter in the world, helping reduce toxic emissions and improve air quality for more than two billion people.

Nornickel is the largest producer of palladium, with a 40% share of the global market. The company develops new palladium-based materials for high-tech industries such as microelectronics, hydrogen and solar energy, and green chemistry. Today, palladium from Nornickel is already used in every second car catalytic converter in the world, helping reduce toxic emissions and improve air quality for more than two billion people.

Nornickel is the largest producer of palladium, with a 40% share of the global market. The company develops new palladium-based materials for high-tech industries such as microelectronics, hydrogen and solar energy, and green chemistry. Today, palladium from Nornickel is already used in every second car catalytic converter in the world, helping reduce toxic emissions and improve air quality for more than two billion people.
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What advantage does palladium offer in microelectronics compared with the gold traditionally used there?

The microelectronics industry is seeking ways to reduce costs, and palladium is an ideal replacement for gold because it is three times cheaper and almost twice as light. This brings not only economic savings but also environmental benefits, since it produces less toxic waste. Palladium also makes extremely thin coatings possible, which fits the trend toward miniaturization.

The microelectronics industry is seeking ways to reduce costs, and palladium is an ideal replacement for gold because it is three times cheaper and almost twice as light. This brings not only economic savings but also environmental benefits, since it produces less toxic waste. Palladium also makes extremely thin coatings possible, which fits the trend toward miniaturization.

The microelectronics industry is seeking ways to reduce costs, and palladium is an ideal replacement for gold because it is three times cheaper and almost twice as light. This brings not only economic savings but also environmental benefits, since it produces less toxic waste. Palladium also makes extremely thin coatings possible, which fits the trend toward miniaturization.
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How much more efficient are the innovative palladium anodes developed in Nornickel ’s laboratory than traditional alternatives?
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These anodes are designed to produce sodium hypochlorite, which is used in water treatment as a disinfecting reagent. The palladium oxide in the coating improves the selectivity of active chlorine formation and increases electrode corrosion resistance, extending anode service life. Nornickel and Ecofes created a palladium-based anode that proved 20% more energy efficient and 15% cheaper than traditional solutions.

These anodes are designed to produce sodium hypochlorite, which is used in water treatment as a disinfecting reagent. The palladium oxide in the coating improves the selectivity of active chlorine formation and increases electrode corrosion resistance, extending anode service life. Nornickel and Ecofes created a palladium-based anode that proved 20% more energy efficient and 15% cheaper than traditional solutions.

These anodes are designed to produce sodium hypochlorite, which is used in water treatment as a disinfecting reagent. The palladium oxide in the coating improves the selectivity of active chlorine formation and increases electrode corrosion resistance, extending anode service life. Nornickel and Ecofes created a palladium-based anode that proved 20% more energy efficient and 15% cheaper than traditional solutions.
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In which promising industry can palladium replace the rare and expensive metal iridium, reducing production costs?
In OLED displays used in smartphones, televisions, and other electronic devices, palladium can replace rare and expensive iridium, helping reduce production costs. The relevant technologies are already being developed at Nornickel ’s Palladium Technologies Center.

In OLED displays used in smartphones, televisions, and other electronic devices, palladium can replace rare and expensive iridium, helping reduce production costs. The relevant technologies are already being developed at Nornickel ’s Palladium Technologies Center.

In OLED displays used in smartphones, televisions, and other electronic devices, palladium can replace rare and expensive iridium, helping reduce production costs. The relevant technologies are already being developed at Nornickel ’s Palladium Technologies Center.
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What key environmental benefit does palladium provide in solar panels developed by Nornickel together with MISIS University?
Nornickel and MISIS University have developed prototypes of semi-transparent solar panels that can be integrated into glass facades and rooftops. These panels generate electricity, let in daylight, and help prevent indoor overheating.
Their main innovation is the use of multilayer transparent electrodes instead of conventional opaque metal contacts. Palladium is what makes these electrodes resistant to oxidation, so the panels last longer, extending service life but without significantly increasing cost.
Nornickel and MISIS University have developed prototypes of semi-transparent solar panels that can be integrated into glass facades and rooftops. These panels generate electricity, let in daylight, and help prevent indoor overheating.
Their main innovation is the use of multilayer transparent electrodes instead of conventional opaque metal contacts. Palladium is what makes these electrodes resistant to oxidation, so the panels last longer, extending service life but without significantly increasing cost.
Nornickel and MISIS University have developed prototypes of semi-transparent solar panels that can be integrated into glass facades and rooftops. These panels generate electricity, let in daylight, and help prevent indoor overheating.
Their main innovation is the use of multilayer transparent electrodes instead of conventional opaque metal contacts. Palladium is what makes these electrodes resistant to oxidation, so the panels last longer, extending service life but without significantly increasing cost.
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What efficiency did Nornickel ’s palladium catalysts achieve in the production of glycolic acid compared with commercial platinum analogues?
Glycolic acid is used in cosmetic creams and medicines. The conventional production method relies on formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic in large doses. Scientists have developed a greener alternative: oxidation of ethylene glycol using a catalyst made of palladium nanoparticles. This process is safer, does not require harmful substances, and delivers up to 88% of the final product, while commercial platinum samples yield only 68%. This makes the process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective
Glycolic acid is used in cosmetic creams and medicines. The conventional production method relies on formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic in large doses. Scientists have developed a greener alternative: oxidation of ethylene glycol using a catalyst made of palladium nanoparticles. This process is safer, does not require harmful substances, and delivers up to 88% of the final product, while commercial platinum samples yield only 68%. This makes the process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective
Glycolic acid is used in cosmetic creams and medicines. The conventional production method relies on formaldehyde, which is carcinogenic in large doses. Scientists have developed a greener alternative: oxidation of ethylene glycol using a catalyst made of palladium nanoparticles. This process is safer, does not require harmful substances, and delivers up to 88% of the final product, while commercial platinum samples yield only 68%. This makes the process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective
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What strategic goal has Nornickel’s Palladium Technologies Center set for 2035?
The Palladium Technologies Center plans to bring 100 new palladium-based products to market. According to the company’s estimates, this should generate additional demand for the metal of at least 20–30 tonnes per year by 2035. The center’s portfolio already includes more than 30 developments, ranging from glass and chemical applications to microelectronics, solar and hydrogen energy, and green chemistry.
The Palladium Technologies Center plans to bring 100 new palladium-based products to market. According to the company’s estimates, this should generate additional demand for the metal of at least 20–30 tonnes per year by 2035. The center’s portfolio already includes more than 30 developments, ranging from glass and chemical applications to microelectronics, solar and hydrogen energy, and green chemistry.
The Palladium Technologies Center plans to bring 100 new palladium-based products to market. According to the company’s estimates, this should generate additional demand for the metal of at least 20–30 tonnes per year by 2035. The center’s portfolio already includes more than 30 developments, ranging from glass and chemical applications to microelectronics, solar and hydrogen energy, and green chemistry.
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Where was the world’s first laboratory fully dedicated to new palladium-based materials opened, and who created it?
Nornickel opened the world’s first palladium laboratory at the Lomonosov Innovation Cluster in Moscow in April 2026. The facility is equipped with modern tools for studying the metal in any concentration and in a wide range of material classes. The laboratory supports the full innovation cycle, from scientific hypothesis and material synthesis to advanced analytical testing and technology trials.
Nornickel opened the world’s first palladium laboratory at the Lomonosov Innovation Cluster in Moscow in April 2026. The facility is equipped with modern tools for studying the metal in any concentration and in a wide range of material classes. The laboratory supports the full innovation cycle, from scientific hypothesis and material synthesis to advanced analytical testing and technology trials.
Nornickel opened the world’s first palladium laboratory at the Lomonosov Innovation Cluster in Moscow in April 2026. The facility is equipped with modern tools for studying the metal in any concentration and in a wide range of material classes. The laboratory supports the full innovation cycle, from scientific hypothesis and material synthesis to advanced analytical testing and technology trials.
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Palladium is a metal with character — get to know it better

Don’t be discouraged! The energy transition is complex, but you’ve already taken the first step. Explore Nornickel’s innovation section — it’s full of fascinating facts about how palladium is helping shape the future. Try the quiz again, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the result.

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You know the main palladium trends

You already write well about how palladium helps make green technologies more affordable and efficient. With a little more effort, you could become an ambassador for this metal in your field. Take a look at Nornickel’s successful cases, and you’ll have expert opinions to support your perspective.

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You are a palladium expert

You know almost everything about palladium: from Norilsk Nickel’s market share to hydrogen membranes. It looks like you’re already ready to head a palladium technology center or at least give a lecture on energy-transition metals. Bravo!

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