Investing in Platinum and Palladium After the Correction with the SPPP ETF: A Strategic Play on PGMs in the Energy Transition Era

The platinum group metals (PGMs) market is at a pivotal inflection point. Structural supply deficits, exacerbated by production constraints in South Africa and geopolitical disruptions, have collided with a surge in demand from the energy transition, particularly in hydrogen technologies. For investors seeking undervalued opportunities in this space, the Sprott Physical Platinum & Palladium Trust (SPPP ETF) offers a direct, cost-efficient access point to capitalize on these dynamics.

Structural Deficits and the Energy Transition: A Perfect Storm

Platinum’s supply deficit has deepened to 966,000 ounces in 2025, a 12% shortfall relative to global demand, driven by South Africa’s aging mines and a lack of new projects entering production [1]. South Africa accounts for 80% of global platinum output, yet production has declined by nearly 30% since 2006 due to infrastructure decay, labor strikes, and declining ore grades [2]. Meanwhile, demand is surging across multiple sectors. Platinum’s role in hydrogen fuel cells—critical for decarbonizing heavy transport and industrial processes—is projected to grow from 40,000 ounces in 2023 to 900,000 ounces by 2030, representing 11% of total demand [1]. This shift is accelerating as governments prioritize hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, with applications in sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen purification further bolstering demand [3].

Palladium, while facing a structural surplus in the automotive sector due to the EV transition, is finding new life in hydrogen electrolysis and electronics. However, its supply remains inelastic, with Russia and South Africa dominating 80% of global production [4]. Geopolitical risks, including U.S. tariffs on Russian PGMs and logistics bottlenecks, add volatility to the market [5].

SPPP ETF: A Direct, Cost-Efficient Access Point

The Sprott Physical Platinum & Palladium Trust (SPPP ETF) holds physical bullion of both metals, offering investors transparent exposure to their price movements without the logistical hurdles of direct ownership [6]. Post-correction in early 2025, the ETF has rebounded sharply. Platinum prices surged 40% in the first half of 2025, while palladium rallied 27.4% since April, driven by production disruptions in South Africa and robust demand from China’s jewelry and industrial sectors [7].

As of August 27, 2025, the SPPP ETF traded at a -0.75% discount to its net asset value (NAV) of $11.96, suggesting undervaluation relative to its holdings [8]. This discount, combined with an average daily trading volume of over 354,000 shares, indicates strong liquidity and investor accessibility [9]. The ETF’s structure—holding 168,124 ounces of platinum and 129,887 ounces of palladium—positions it to benefit from both short-term price rebounds and long-term structural trends in the energy transition [10].

Risks and the Road Ahead

While the investment case is compelling, risks persist. South Africa’s mining challenges and geopolitical tensions could delay supply adjustments, prolonging deficits. Additionally, palladium’s automotive demand may face further erosion as EV adoption accelerates. However, the energy transition’s growing reliance on PGMs—particularly platinum in hydrogen technologies—provides a durable demand floor.

Conclusion

The SPPP ETF is uniquely positioned to capture the dual forces of supply constraints and energy transition-driven demand. With structural deficits in platinum and palladium tightening, and valuations trading at a discount, the ETF offers a compelling entry point for investors seeking exposure to PGMs. As the world pivots toward hydrogen and sustainable technologies, platinum and palladium are poised to play critical roles—making the SPPP ETF a strategic vehicle for capitalizing on this transformation.

Source:
[1] Platinum Is on Track for a Status Upgrade,
https://sprott.com/insights/platinum-is-on-track-for-a-status-upgrade/
[2] Northam Platinum PGM Outlook: Supply Deficit Driving Market Tightness,
https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/pgm-market-outlook-2025-structural-changes/
[3] PGM demand for energy transition grows,
https://www.ipmi.org/news/pgm-demand-energy-transition-grows
[4] Precious Metals Special Report 2025,
https://cibjo.org/congress-2025/precious-metals-special-report-2025/
[5] Platinum: The Top Performing Commodity in H1 2025,
https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/platinum-top-commodity-2025-performance-demand-supply/
[6] Goehring & Rozencwajg Natural Resource Market Q2,
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4818037-goehring-and-rozencwajg-natural-resource-market-q2-2025-commentary
[7] The Rally in Platinum Prices: 40% Surge Reshapes 2025 Market,
https://www.ipmi.org/news/rally-platinum-prices-40-surge-reshapes-2025-market
[8] Sprott Physical Platinum & Palladium Trust,
https://sprott.com/investment-strategies/exchange-listed-products/physical-bullion-funds/platinum-and-palladium/
[9] Investing In Platinum And Palladium After The Correction,
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4819654-investing-in-platinum-and-palladium-after-correction-with-sppp-etf-product
[10] Sprott Announces First Quarter 2025 Results,
https://sprott.com/investor-relations/press-releases/sprott-announces-first-quarter-2025-results/