Dental patients are driving Japan's demand for palladium, according to leading industry figures.

Under Japanese health insurance coverage palladium alloys are included as a material which can be covered, whereas ceramic-based dental materials are not.

As consumers look to cut costs and ensure they make the most of the state system, many have moved for the palladium alloys, as a dental industry source explained to Platts.

"In times of limited spending money, patients have relied more on insurance, though ceramic [dental material] is popular for cosmetic restorations," the dental source said.

Palladium has steadily grown as a viable alternative for use in dental applications, with Johnson Matthey's figures indicating the demand in the dental industry has been on the rise since the turn of the millennium.

From a demand of 14.6 metric tonnes in 2000, the annual figures for palladium in dentistry have now reached 16.3 metric tonnes in Japan.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd