22nd Feb 2006 10:47
Johnson Matthey PLC22 February 2006 For immediate release Wednesday 22nd February 2006 Johnson Matthey to build Autocatalyst facility in Russia Johnson Matthey has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the FirstDeputy Governor of Russia's Krasnoyarsk Region, and the General Director of theKrastsvetmet Metal Company to secure a brown field site as the first step in amulti-million pound investment to build an autocatalyst manufacturing plant inRussia. The site is located within the boundary of the Krastsvetmet's facilityin Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. Over the last five years Russia has emerged as a significant player in theglobal automotive industry, with many international original equipmentmanufacturers (OEMs) investing in local manufacturing facilities. JohnsonMatthey plans to build a plant to manufacture emission control catalysts for awide range of both diesel and petrol powered vehicles for the local Russianmarket, which will see emissions legislation requiring the use of autocatalystscome into force this spring. The chosen site is located within the secure perimeter of the Krastsvetmet sitehowever the new factory will be wholly owned and operated by Johnson Matthey.Under the terms of the MOU, the new facility will purchase precious metal saltsfrom Krastsvetmet for use in the manufacture of autocatalysts. The site hasdirect on-site access to the Trans Siberian Railway, which will provide dailylogistical links to the rest of the Russian Federation. Johnson Matthey alreadyhas significant business links with Krastsvetmet and since 2002 has licensedthem technologies for the production of precious metal gauzes for the chemicalindustry. The MOU was signed by Lev Kuznetsov, the First Deputy Governor of theKrasnoyarsk Region, Paul Framp, Managing Director European Region, JohnsonMatthey Environmental Catalysts and Technologies, and Igor Tikhov, GeneralDirector of the Krastsvetmet Metal Company. Commenting on Johnson Matthey's investment plans, Paul Framp said "We have beenclosely monitoring the progress of the auto industry in Russia for some time andwe have well established sales to the indigenous car manufacturers. The last fewyears have seen significant growth in local vehicle demand and we now seeingmajor investments from established European, Asian and American OEMs. Withrecent developments in emission legislation in the Russian Federation, the stageis set for local expansion of autocatalyst manufacturing. We feel that this isthe right time to secure our place in the market and we are very pleased to beable to strengthen our working relationship with Krastsvetmet and to utilisetheir great experience with precious metals". Enquiries: Ian Godwin Director, IR and Corporate Communications 020 7269 8410Laura Hickman The HeadLand Consultancy 020 7367 5227 www.matthey.com Notes for Editors: About Johnson Matthey Johnson Matthey is a speciality chemicals company focused on its core skills incatalysts, precious metals and fine chemicals. The group's principal activities are the manufacture of autocatalysts andpollution control systems, catalysts and components for fuel cells,pharmaceutical compounds, process catalysts and fine chemicals; the refining,fabrication and marketing of precious metals; and the manufacture of colours andcoatings for the glass and ceramics industries. Johnson Matthey has continued to develop its technology for almost 200 years,demonstrating the company's ability to maintain world leadership by adaptingconstantly to rapidly changing customer needs. Rigorous in its own environmentalpolicies, many of Johnson Matthey's products have a major beneficial impact onthe environment and enhance the quality of life for millions around the world. Johnson Matthey has operations in 34 countries and employs around 7,400 people.Its products are sold across the world to a wide range of advanced technologyindustries. The company's Catalysts Division operates globally under the market identity ofJohnson Matthey Catalysts and consists of 3 separate business units.Environmental Catalysts and Technologies (ECT), which manufactures catalysts forautomobile emission control and the reduction of emissions from industrialprocesses, the Fuel Cells business which manufactures fuel cell catalysts andcatalysed components and the Process Catalysts and Technologies (PCT) businesscomprising pgm refining, process catalysts and fine and research chemicals. ECT comprises Johnson Matthey's global autocatalyst, heavy duty diesel andstationary source emissions control businesses. The company is a world leadingmanufacturer of catalysts for vehicle exhaust emission control and a leader incatalyst systems for the reduction of volatile organic compound emissions fromindustrial processes. Manufacturing facilities are located in the USA, UK,Belgium, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Japan, Malaysia, India and China. R&Dfacilities are in the USA, UK, Sweden, Japan and Brazil. About the Russian Motor Industry Russia's auto industry is around 100 years old, and has produced such classicsas the Zil, Moskvich and Gaz Volga. More recently, there has been massproduction of the best known of all Russian cars, the LADA. The industry ismodernizing rapidly, and the last five years have seen rapid growth, withsignificant investments in assembly plants from many international OEMs,including Ford, GM, Hyundai, Renault, Toyota and VW. This decade has seen a boom in overall car sales with the bulk of the growthcoming from the new implanted OEMs. This year will see over 1.4 millions carsmanufactured in Russia and this is expected to be close to 2.0 million by theend of the decade. The auto industry growth trends are expected to continue with an ever increasingdemand for international products fueled by the buoyant Russian economy. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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