Johnson Matthey Plc (“Johnson Matthey”) announced today that it has purchased Davy Process Technology Limited (“DPT”) for £40 million in cash.

DPT develops chemical process technologies and licenses them to customers in the oil, gas, petrochemical, polymer and pharmaceutical industries. Revenue is generated through the licensing of its proprietary technologies and from the sale of associated basic engineering packages, catalysts, specialist equipment and other services.

Johnson Matthey and DPT have a long history of technical collaboration and, together with Aker Kvaerner, form the One Synergy alliance which provides turnkey solutions for methanol production and other syngas based processes including the emerging gas to liquids (GTL) market. The combination of Johnson Matthey’s process catalyst businesses with DPT will present new opportunities to exploit the research capabilities of both organisations. Johnson Matthey’s catalyst expertise will enhance DPT’s ability to develop advanced catalyst based processes for a number of key growth markets and the acquisition will give Johnson Matthey new opportunities to grow its sales of catalysts into both existing and new emerging markets.

DPT employs around 175 people and is headquartered in London. It has a purpose-built R&D centre in Stockton-on-Tees. The company has a long history, having been established in the 1830s as a mechanical engineering business and was part of Trafalgar House before being purchased by Kvaerner in 1996. More recently, the business changed hands in 2001 when Yukos bought DPT from Aker Kvaerner. Johnson Matthey has acquired DPT from Yukos International UK BV.

In the year to 31 st December 2005 DPT achieved sales of £33.2 million, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of £5.1 million and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of £6.3 million.

Johnson Matthey will finance this acquisition out of existing borrowing facilities.

Commenting on the transaction Neil Carson, Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey, said:

“The acquisition of Davy Process Technology is a further significant step in growing our Process Catalyst and Technologies business. The combination of DPT’s process technology and engineering design capabilities with our expertise in catalysis will substantially strengthen our leading position as a catalyst and technology supplier to the world’s chemical and energy industries.”

Enquiries:

Johnson Matthey

Ian Godwin
Director, IR and Corporate Communications
020 7269 8410

John Sheldrick
Group Finance Director
020 7269 8438

The HeadLand Consultancy

Howard Lee
020 7367 5225