Our Performance and Achievements

Johnson Matthey undertakes a comprehensive annual review of group environmental performance which covers all manufacturing and research and development facilities. We report on our total energy use and emissions of greenhouse gases, acid gases, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We also report on our water use, hazardous chemical waste, non hazardous waste and the total waste produced. Our environmental performance data is presented for calendar year 2007 and has been restated to reflect changes in the business, for example divestments and site closure. The group sold its Ceramics Division on 28th February 2007 and, as such, the data presented below excludes any contribution from Ceramics Division. There were no significant environmental spills or other significant incidents reported during the year.

All of the manufacturing facilities across the group made progress against their individual environmental improvement targets during the year and our five-year performance is shown in the tables below. The group’s total energy consumption reduced by 3% to 3.79 million GJ in 2007 and by 24% relative to sales excluding precious metals. The global energy bill for the year was £35 million (£33 million restated in 2006).

We report greenhouse gas emissions from process and energy use and convert the total group energy use to tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent using average conversion factors for each emissions source. We are currently trialling carbon footprinting tools which, if successful, will provide a more accurate estimate of our emissions. In 2007 the group’s total global warming potential (GWP) reduced by 2% in absolute terms to 318,000 tonnes CO₂ equivalent and by 24% relative to sales excluding precious metals.

Johnson Matthey does not own the ships, trucks or aircraft used to transport our products and so emissions from transportation are not included in our data. We understand that these transportation emissions are consolidated by the transportation companies but we have collated some data at group level. In 2007 the total CO₂ from air freight was 1,642 tonnes. The majority of our products are high value but low volume and so the carbon produced by transportation is low relative to other carbon intensity indicators (for example Scope 2 emissions). We have also started to look at CO₂ emissions from travel by employees on company business. In 2007 CO₂ emissions from company air travel by employees was 2,096 tonnes and emissions from company car travel amounted to 800 tonnes of CO₂. As our work on assessing the carbon footprint of our business develops, we will look to expand the level of information we collate on our indirect carbon emissions.

Emissions from our operations are generated from a number of sources including combustion processes, materials handling and chemical reactions and are typically licensed by local regulations. All sites monitor emissions to ensure compliance with these regulations and set their own absolute targets aimed at reducing significant emissions as part of their environmental improvement plans.

In 2007, our total emissions of acid gas (primarily oxides of nitrogen, NOx) reduced by 8% to 416 tonnes SO₂ equivalent in absolute terms and by 28% relative to sales excluding precious metals.

Total NOx emissions have also reduced by 9% to 448 tonnes, a 29% reduction relative to sales excluding precious metals. Total SO₂ emissions are down 38% to 31.8 tonnes (down 52% relative to sales excluding precious metals) as we continue to modify our processes and practices to use cleaner fuels such as natural gas. The group’s emissions of VOCs increased slightly by 7.6 tonnes (4%) in 2007 as a result of increased production but reduced by 19% relative to sales excluding precious metals.

The total amount of waste generated during the year increased by 8% across the group due to increased production. Relative to sales excluding precious metals, waste generated decreased by 16%. Total hazardous chemical waste and total non hazardous waste both increased slightly in absolute terms but were down on last year when calculated relative to sales excluding the value of precious metals. Johnson Matthey complies with international agreements, regulations and policies that govern the international shipment of waste. In 2007 a total of 1,500 tonnes of waste was moved between countries predominately for the reclamation of metal from spent catalysts.

During the year, water consumption for the group increased by 7% as a direct result of increased production by our Emission Control Technologies business. When calculated relative to sales excluding precious metals, water consumption reduced by 17% across the group. Of the total water used by the group, 90% was supplied by local municipal water authorities, 7% was drawn from boreholes and 3% was taken from local water courses.

In response to requests from our stakeholders, we are reporting for the first time on the emissions discharged to water across our operations. We have used the chemical oxygen demand (COD) test which is commonly used to indirectly measure the amount of organic compounds in water. Most applications of COD determine the amount of organic pollutants found in surface water (for example lakes and rivers), making it a useful measure of water quality. In 2007 Johnson Matthey discharged a total of 360 tonnes of organic chemicals into water courses, as regulated by local emission limits at each manufacturing facility.

Back to top