As the world barely recuperates from Covid-19-induced supply chain crunches, the international community braces for yet another crisis – the Russia-Ukraine War. Occurring against a background wherein price inflations are a big worry, the standoff may extend beyond gasoline prices, encompassing such industrial sectors as fertilisers, food products, and precious metals.
From gold to palladium – the rare-earth metals industry across both countries and across the world are likely in for rough weather. Meeting 45 per cent of global palladium supply, Russia is likely to face significant pressure with the already struggling industry, where demand has outstripped supply. Furthermore, curbs on air transport since the genesis of the conflict have further heightened difficulties for palladium manufacturers. Globally, palladium is being increasingly used for producing vehicle catalytic converters, designed to reduce noxious emissions for petroleum or diesel-fuelled...