Environment

Johnson Matthey undertakes a comprehensive annual review of group environmental performance. The review covers all manufacturing and research and development facilities. Emissions from transportation are not included. The data is reported for the calendar year.

Absolute data is normalised against sales excluding precious metals.

The group’s key impacts are energy and water consumption, waste generation and emissions to air.

Energy

The total energy demand at Johnson Matthey has risen to 4.8 million GJ in 2002 from 3.8 million GJ in 1999. Process improvements have decreased demand by 9% relative to sales. The global energy bill is in excess of £26 million per year. Figures exclude energy used for transportation.

For details of the use of combined heat and power at Johnson Matthey, click here

Emissions to Air

Emissions from Johnson Matthey operations are generated in a number of ways including from combustion processes, materials handling and chemical reactions. They are typically authorised by local regulations. Our sites monitor emissions to ensure compliance with these regulations and set target programmes aimed at reducing significant emissions. Since 1999 there have been reductions in almost all emissions to air.

For details of how Johnson Matthey products have helped UK air quality click here.

Acid Gases

Acid gas emissions contribute to the formation of acid rain, adversely affecting woodlands and buildings. In recent years the severity of acid rain has diminished across Europe, reflecting a shift away from coal to cleaner fuels.

Johnson Matthey’s acid gas emissions have reduced in absolute terms over the last three years. Since 1999 the emissions per unit output have dropped by 34%. Emissions are reducing through introduction of cleaner combustion processes, use of low sulphur fuels and by improving production processes.

The absolute acid gas emissions at Johnson Matthey are now at 1997 levels.

Emissions included in acid gas figures are NOx, SO2, Cl2, HCl and NH3.