Palladium is a rare, lustrous silvery-white metal that resembles platinum.
Palladium belongs to a group of elements knows as “platinum group metals” (PGMs) that have unique physical properties, leading to their use in ~25% of all manufactured goods.
Palladium is used in electronics, catalytic converters, medicine, dentistry, hydrogen purification, chemical applications, fuel cells, and groundwater treatment.
Palladium chloride was once used as a treatment for tuberculosis.
Russia and South Africa are the top producers of palladium, each producing ~40% of the world’s overall supply.