Johnson Matthey is to build two new platinum emissions-control autocatalyst plants in the US and Macedonia for a combined cost of $114 million.

The firm expects the plants to be fully operational by the end of 2009, with the Macedonian factory capable of producing four million catalysts annually, while the US plant will have the capacity to produce one million catalysts per year.

The Macedonian outpost, which will be located in the Bunardjick Technological and Industrial Development Zone, 15km from Skopje, will produce light-duty diesel catalysts and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts for heavy-duty diesel vehicles.

Meanwhile, the US plant will be sited near Smithfield in Pennsylvania and will solely produce SCR catalysts.

Neil Carson, Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey, said: "I am delighted to announce these important additions to our global manufacturing infrastructure. Our long-term commitment to R&D and to developing a full range of products for both heavy and light-duty diesel emission-control has placed us in a strong position in this rapidly growing market."

He added: "Our new plants in Macedonia and in the USA will provide additional, state of the art manufacturing capacity to serve our customers in Europe and North America."

Sources:

J.Matthey to build catalyst plants in Macedonia, U.S., 29/11/07
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL2962507220071129

Johnson Matthey to build new Emission Control Catalyst Plants in Macedonia and the USA, 29/11/07
http://www.matthey.com/media/news/NewEmissionControlCatalystPlants_20071129.htm

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