The most important customer market for platinum is automotive catalytic converters, particularly for diesel vehicles. It is also used in reforming catalysts in combination with rhenium. As a catalyst, it is also needed for large-scale industrial processes such as nitric acid production and for the production of thermocouples or materials in the dental sector. Platinum is used in resistance wires for airbag igniters and in spark plug electrodes. Platinum is also preferred in the manufacture of laboratory equipment as it does not produce flame coloration.