Johnson Matthey CRT Particulate Filter for Diesel Emissions Control Reinstated by California ARB; Parties Agree on Newly Adopted Warranty Liability Terms
MALVERN, Pa.--June 10, 2004--Johnson Matthey's Environmental Catalysts and Technologies (ECT) Group announced that its CRT(R) (Continuously Regenerating Technology) particulate filter was reinstated as a Level 3-verified diesel emission control devise by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) on May 2, 20041, 2004.Johnson Matthey's CRT Filter was the first diesel emission control aftertreatment technology to be verified by the ARB in 2001 to meet Level 3 standards, achieving 85% or greater reduction in particulate matter. Although the CRT filter has always satisfied these performance requirements, the ARB revoked its verification in January 2004 due to Johnson Matthey's opposition to newly enacted warranty terms that extended filter manufacturer liability. The ARB announced these new terms in May of 2002, and put them into effect on January 2004.
Through on-going discussions, the two organizations have worked together to resolve the warranty dispute. The ARB has affirmed that Johnson Matthey accepted the warranty statement and fulfilled the requirements for reinstatement. The CRT particulate filter warranty now covers retrofitted engine damage as a direct result of a failed filter. Editor's note: For detailed information about Johnson Matthey's CRT warranty terms, see the attached Q&A.
"The California ARB is pleased to have a world leader in heavy-duty diesel retrofit systems back in California as a partner in our on-going efforts to protect the environment," said Catherine Witherspoon, Executive Officer, of the California Air Resources Board. "Johnson Matthey's CRT filter remains one of the most effective diesel emission control technologies available today, and we feel that it is in California's best interest to have this technology available for its diesel bus and truck fleets."
"The ARB's verification is an important element of our business, and we're satisfied that our efforts worked out so favorably for everyone involved," said Marty Lassen of Johnson Matthey's ETC Group. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with the ARB to serve the citizens of California with the highest level emission-control technologies."
All Johnson Matthey CRT filters sold before January 1, 2004 - the official de-verification date - remained verified under the California ARB's original order. The product also remained legally saleable in California while Johnson Matthey and the CARB discussed the warranty terms.
In addition to the reinstatement of its CRT particulate filter, Johnson Matthey anticipates additional technology verifications in the near future. To control NOx, a major contributor to ground-level ozone and smog, JM's EGRT(TM) (Exhaust Gas Recirculation Technology) system delivers NOx reductions greater than 40 percent, and CO, HC and PM reductions greater than 90 percent, and is expected to receive ARB verification this summer. Its CCRT(TM) (Catalyzed-CRT) filter - Johnson Matthey's second-generation diesel particulate filter for more difficult low-temperature applications - is expected to receive US EPA verification this month and ARB verification this summer.
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 was the first filter to be verified by the US 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 more than 100,000 in use worldwide and more than a billion miles of service.
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 $7.0 billion company is 187 year old and employs almost 8,000 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.
Johnson Matthey Environment Catalysts and Technologies Group 380 Lapp Road, Malvern, PA 19355 (610) 341-3404; Fax (610) 971-3116 www.jmcatalysts.com Johnson Matthey Emissions Hotline: 1-800-RX FOR AIR