AGM Statement

Johnson Matthey PLC
25 July 2006



                For release at 12 noon on Tuesday 25th July 2006

                              Chairman's Statement

                            At Johnson Matthey's AGM



Commenting on current trading at today's Annual General Meeting, Sir John
Banham, Chairman of Johnson Matthey, said:



 "Johnson Matthey has made an encouraging start to the new financial year with
7% growth in earnings per share in the first quarter.



Catalysts Division achieved good growth in sales and profits in the quarter.
Environmental Catalysts and Technologies benefited from increased sales of
catalysts for diesel cars in Europe.  Autocatalyst sales were well up in Asia
with strong growth in Japan and China but demand from our major customers in
North America remained weak.  Process Catalysts and Technologies also achieved
good growth with a useful contribution from Davy Process Technology, which was
acquired at the end of last year, and continued strong demand for synthesis gas
catalysts.



Precious Metal Products Division enjoyed a strong first quarter benefiting from
favourable trading conditions for platinum group metals and good growth in its
manufacturing operations.



The results of the two smaller divisions were in line with expectations.
Pharmaceutical Materials Division's sales were ahead of last year but there were
no further developments in our customers' product launches in the quarter.
Ceramics Division's sales were similar to last year with continued good cash
generation.



The outlook for the rest of the year remains very much as we set out in the
outlook statement in our annual report.  We expect growth in the second half of
the year to be stronger than the first with increased sales of catalysts for
heavy duty diesel vehicles in Europe and North America as the new emissions
legislation comes fully into effect."





Enquiries:




Ian Godwin                       Director, IR and Corporate Communications              020 7269 8410
John Sheldrick                   Group Finance Director                                 020 7269 8438
Howard Lee                       The HeadLand Consultancy                               020 7367 5225
Laura Hickman                    The HeadLand Consultancy                               020 7367 5227

www.matthey.com





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