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Johnson Matthey Opens New Autocatalyst Facility in Argentina

27 March 1998

Johnson Matthey Opens New Autocatalyst Facility in Argentina

    LONDON, March 27 -- Johnson Matthey officially opened its
eighth autocatalyst production facility worldwide at a ceremony at Pilar, near
Buenos Aires yesterday.  The new facility, a joint venture with Magneti
Marelli SpA, was constructed in a little under a year.  It has an annual
capacity of 1.5 million autocatalysts and will supply the motor industry in
the Mercosur free trade region of South America.  Full scale production for
Fiat, the plant's first customer, started last month.
    The opening ceremony was attended by Ing. Maria Julia Alsogaray,
Argentina's Environment Minister, the British Ambassador to Argentina, His
Excellency William Marsden, and over 150 guests including government
ministers, members of parliament and senior automobile industry executives.
    Speaking at the opening ceremony, David Davies, Chairman and Chief
Executive of Johnson Matthey said:
    "I am particularly encouraged by the progressive approach taken by the
government of Argentina and the other nations of Mercosur, in agreeing and
implementing emissions legislation for vehicles, and in their determination
to utilise technology to improve local air quality.
    "We estimate that, in the UK by the year 2000, Johnson Matthey
autocatalysts alone will reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 1.4 million
tonnes per year, nitrogen oxides by 300,000 tonnes per year and hydrocarbons
by 180,000 tonnes per year.  This demonstrates the real difference that such a
progressive approach can make to improving the air that we breathe every day."

SOURCE  Johnson Matthey