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[June 2000]
Johnson Matthey and James Cropper PLC Announce Agreement on Fuel Cell Development
Johnson Matthey, the world leader in catalysts and catalysed components for fuel cells, has concluded exclusive development and supply agreements with Technical Fibre Products (TFP), the advanced composites subsidiary of James Cropper PLC, for key components in Johnson Matthey's new Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) products for fuel cells. This collaboration is an important step in the development of high volume manufacturing of these components.
The agreements focus on the development of carbon composite substrates to be used to support the catalysts and other active components within the MEA, which forms the heart of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. They bring together Johnson Matthey's strong catalyst technology and intellectual property in the field of fuel cells and MEAs and James Cropper's experience in the volume manufacturing of advanced technical non-woven materials to form a significant alliance for the development of commercial fuel cell manufacturing. Under these agreements Johnson Matthey will market all of the new products for fuel cells that result from the collaboration with James Cropper TFP.
Commenting on the agreements Neil Carson, Executive Director of Johnson Matthey, said:
"Technical Fibre Products are leaders in their field and we are delighted to have them as exclusive partners and strategic suppliers to our fuel cell business. The combination of TFP and Johnson Matthey's strong technology will result in the mass production of world-class MEAs for our fuel cell customers, the market for which is set to see dramatic growth over the next few years."
James Cropper, Chairman of James Cropper PLC commented:
"Technical Fibre Products is the world's leading developer of technically advanced non-wovens made from high performance fibres. We have been supplying fuel cell components for some time but working closely with Johnson Matthey and its advanced MEA technology will enable us to develop new leading edge products more quickly. We see the market for environmentally clean energy generation systems growing rapidly in the automotive, domestic, industrial and portable sectors in the next few years."
ENDS