Switzerland imports more platinum, less palladium

GENEVA, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Switzerland exported most of its platinum XPT= and palladium XPD= in August to Hong Kong, the gateway to China's auto sector, Swiss data showed on Tuesday.

Switzerland is a principal European clearer of the platinum group metals, used in auto catalysts to reduce vehicle emissions. In August, 1,981 kg of its 3,094 kg platinum exports went to Hong Kong, and another 252 kg went to China itself.

Palladium exports to Hong Kong were 500 kg, a third of the Alpine country's palladium shipments last month. Imports of platinum came mainly from South Africa and the United States, while palladium was sourced principally from Germany.

Both platinum and palladium have been in heavy demand as China and other countries have built up their auto sectors. [ID:nLDE68E1XB]

A proliferation of exchange-traded funds backed by physical metal has also generated added demand. (Compiled by Laura MacInnis)