Company Profiles

Johnson Matthey

United States

Johnson Matthey has roots in refining and fabricating precious metals. Over time, Johnson Matthey has used its expertise in precious metals to establish the company as a major manufacturer of chemical process catalysts. Catalysts are seen as a boon to the green chemistry sector because they enable chemical reactions to be carried out under milder conditions, require less energy, and use less toxic chemicals and solvents. Chemical catalysts are also expected to play a key role in the production of clean fuels, the conversion of waste and green raw materials into energy, and the improvement of emissions from combustion engines, including nitrous oxide (NOx), soot, and greenhouse gases. Anticipating growth in this field, the company created a new Environmental Technologies division in 2007. A majority of the company's sizable research and development investments are now concentrated in this division. Johnson Matthey is proactive about Europe's REACH directive on chemicals, stating that it does not "view REACH simply as a localized tick-the-box exercise for Europeans." Instead, it is committed to designing and manufacturing products with fewer and less damaging resources per unit of output. To this end, the company is developing consistent product stewardship guidelines for its products. Portfolio 21 will monitor the development of Johnson Matthey's guidelines and encourage the incorporation of life cycle analysis and design for environment principles.

To the best of our knowledge the above information is accurate and was obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Neither the information presented above nor any opinion expressed shall be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the security. The views expressed are those of portfolio management as of 3/31/09 and may not reflect current opinions or subsequent events.