In 2007, Pallinghurst identified the platinum group metals (“PGM” or “PGMs”) industry as having attractive investment fundamentals. PGMs are essential to a wide range of industries and do not have any substitutes in their main applications, particularly in automotive catalytic converters. An estimated 20% of consumer products either contain PGMs or use them during the manufacturing process.
In 2007, Pallinghurst identified the raw materials needed for steelmaking as having attractive investment fundamentals. Steel is an important driver of the global economy and has shown consistent growth through a number of economic cycles, in particular when developing economies expand rapidly.
In 2007, Pallinghurst identified the coloured gemstone sector as an “overlooked” industry that offered a unique investment opportunity. Demand for coloured gemstones by the jewellery and fashion sectors was increasing, but supply was constrained and fragmented due to the lack of large, reliable producers able to consistently deliver sufficient quantities of gemstones. Pallinghurst saw an opportunity to unlock value by bringing capital, scale and professionalism to the industry, to which end it assembled a consortium of Pallinghurst Co-Investors, including the Group.