EPA Acknowledges JM CRT® Filter's True PM Reductions


MALVERN, Pa., Oct. 18, 2006 -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently adjusted its verification of Johnson Matthey's Continuously Regenerating Technology (CRT®) and Catalyzed Continuously Regenerating Technology (CCRT®) diesel particulate filters to the realworld PM reduction of 90%.

Originally verified in November 2000, the CRT filter was the industry's first diesel particulate filter recognized and approved by the EPA under the original verification program, resulting in the conservative 60% reduction credits originally listed. This latest adjustment by the EPA acknowledges their confirmation that Johnson Matthey's technologies reduce emissions of pollutants by the following percentages:


Technology Engine Model/Application Fuel, Reductions(%)
Max Sulfur
(ppm)
PM CO HC

Continuously All 4 cycle, model year 1994-2006, 15 90 85 95
Regenerating turbocharged or naturally
Technology (CRT) aspirated engines

Catalysed Continuously Highway, heavy-heavy, medium-heavy, 15 90 85 95
Regenerating Technology light heavy duty, urban bus, 4-cycle,
(CCRT) non-EGR model year 1994-2006,
turbocharged or naturally aspirated
engines

In addition, the EPA extended the verifications of the CRT and CCRT to include all non-EGR, 4-stroke engines model years 1994-2006.

"More and more, the States are aggressively pursuing diesel retrofit technologies as one of the most cost-effective solutions for air quality improvement," said Martin Lassen of Johnson Matthey's Environmental Catalysts and Technologies (ECT) Group. "The EPA recognized our CRT and CCRT filters as industry pioneers back in 2000, and now confirms that our technologies remain among the best choices for environmental improvement. And with the rollout of ULSD nationwide, it's now easier than ever to use our filter solutions to reduce emissions."

This adjustment now allows States to claim the higher credits for use in their State Implementation Plans.

About Johnson Matthey's CRT Particulate Filter
The market leader in reducing diesel emissions, the CRT particulate filter removes virtually all PM from a wide range of diesel engines. Johnson Matthey's CRT filter was the first filter to be verified by the U.S. EPA's voluntary retrofit program. Through the patented combination of a platinum-based pre-catalyst and a filter element, the CRT filter reduces PM, as well as CO and HC (including toxics), by more than 90% for hundreds of thousands of miles, proving itself to be the most durable filter available. Johnson Matthey's CRT particulate filter is the most widely used filter for controlling PM from heavy-duty diesel engines, with 120,000 in use worldwide and more than a billion miles of service.

About Johnson Matthey's CCRT Particulate Filter
Built upon the same patented technology as Johnson Matthey's non-catalyzed Continuously Regenerating Technology (CRT) filter, the CCRT filter is a second-generation diesel particulate filter designed for challenging applications with lower exhaust outlet temperatures. Johnson Matthey has been successfully operating the CCRT filter on low-temperature applications nationwide, including waste haul/refuse, municipal vehicles, and school buses. These applications generally have average exhaust temperatures of approximately 200°C.

About Johnson Matthey's Environmental Catalysts and Technologies Group
Traded on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: JMAT), Johnson Matthey is a specialty chemicals company focused on its core skills in catalysts, precious metals and specialty chemicals. The $8.6 billion company is 188 years old and employs almost 7,500 people in 34 countries. As part of Johnson Matthey's Catalysts Division, the world's largest supplier of catalysts for the automotive industry, the Environmental Catalysts and Technologies Group has been providing cost-effective catalytic solutions for the worldwide light- and heavy-duty diesel markets for over 30 years.

Contacts:
Marty Lassen
Marketing Manager Senior
Johnson Matthey Environ. Catalysts and Technologies
(610) 341-3404
lassem@jmusa.com

Megan Maguire Kelly
PR Consultant
Schubert Communications, Inc.
(610) 269-2100 ext. 225
mkelly@schubert.com

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