Dual Fuel Processor

Johnson,Matthey PLC
8 June 2000



        Johnson Matthey Announces 'Dual Fuel' Processor for Fuel Cells        

Johnson Matthey, the world leader in catalysts and catalysed components for
fuel cells, has demonstrated a new fuel processor capable of converting both
natural gas and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to hydrogen which can be used
directly in a fuel cell to provide electricity cleanly and at high rates of
efficiency. Based on Johnson Matthey's advanced catalyst technology, the
system is equally efficient with either fuel and can be changed from one to
the other at any time. Catalytic fuel processors are cleaner, more robust and
easier to operate than systems based on other technologies.

In urban locations natural gas is often readily available and is the preferred
choice of fuel for houses and offices connected to a gas main. In many
circumstances however natural gas is not available and bottled gas (LPG) must
be used. The ability to use either fuel extends the range of applications that
the fuel processor can service and dramatically reduces the development costs
that would be required for two single fuel processors. 

Commenting on this important development Neil Carson, Executive Director,
said:
'The initial customers for high value fuel cell systems will be residential
users in areas with unreliable power supplies. Hence many of our development
partners have requested LPG fuel processors for these applications.
Ultimately, the larger market will probably be for natural gas fueled systems
and our ability to supply both markets with the same processor reduces the
development cost and increases the speed to market of the technology.'

Enquiries:
Neil Carson,      Executive Director                      020 7269 8449
Jack Frost,       Director, Fuel Cell business            0118 924 2158
Ian Godwin,       Group Corporate Communications Manager  020 7269 8410