Legislation requiring the use
of car emissions control systems in India's four main cities
- Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras - has been in place since
1995 and Johnson Matthey is currently the leading supplier to
this market. Further legislation has recently been introduced
which will require fitment of emissions control catalysts on
all new two stroke motorcycles from 2000. The motorcycle market
is growing rapidly in India and is forecast to reach annual unit
sales of 4.5 million by 2000.
Work has already begun on a facility
at Okhla in New Delhi. The new catalyst coating plant, which
will become fully operational by the end of 1998, will have capacity
for 500,000 car catalysts and 1.5 million motorcycle catalysts
per year. Once operational it will provide the majority of the
catalysts required by India's largest car manufacturer, Maruti
Udyog Ltd, as well as supplying the other car companies establishing
operations in the region.
Commenting on the new investment,
David Davies said:
"We are pleased to announce further
investment in India. Johnson Matthey has a long standing commitment
to the Indian market and we are very excited by the opportunities
that this rapidly growing economy presents. This is another example
of Johnson Matthey working in partnership with our customers
to meet vehicle emissions legislation. The Indian facility will
be our ninth autocatalyst manufacturing plant worldwide and reinforces
our commitment to world leadership in automobile emissions control
catalysts."
Neil Carson, Managing Director
of Johnson Matthey's Catalytic Systems Division, said:
"This local manufacturing capability
will help to maintain our leading position in the Indian market
and ensure that Johnson Matthey benefits from growth in both
the car and motorcycle emissions control systems markets as existing
legislation is extended and global vehicle manufacturers establish
operations in the region."
