Our Performance

Johnson Matthey undertakes a comprehensive annual review of group environmental performance which covers all manufacturing and research and development facilities. Data is presented for a five year period for our total energy use and emissions of greenhouse gases, acid gases, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We also report on the amount of waste we produce, waste to landfill, packaging waste, water use and our emissions to water.

Environmental performance data is presented from 1st April to 31st March (unless otherwise stated). Where necessary data has been restated, for example to reflect changes in the business (e.g. divestments and site closure), to take account of changes in best practice methodologies for calculating emissions or in response to recommendations made by our assurance provider.

2009/10 saw steady progress with reductions in energy use, global warming potential, NOx and VOC emissions, water use, emissions to water and waste produced, despite the inclusion of data this year from three major new manufacturing facilities. Manufacturing sites across the group continued to make progress against their individual environmental improvement targets in 2009/10 which has had a positive impact on overall group performance. Further progress has been made in the implementation of ISO 14001, in line with our target of achieving registration at all major manufacturing sites in 2010. By the end of March 2010, 41 sites (91%) had achieved ISO 14001 registration representing around 93% of the group’s manufacturing workforce. The remaining four manufacturing sites have plans in place to achieve registration during 2010/11. There were no significant fines and no non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations in the year.

Energy Consumption

The group’s total energy consumption decreased by 4% in absolute terms to 3,898 GJ (’000) and by 9% relative to sales excluding precious metals compared with the prior year. Of the energy consumed in 2009/10, 63% arose from direct sources i.e. various fuels and natural gas combusted by the group and 37% from consumed electricity generated by a supplier. The global energy bill for 2009/10 was £45.5 million, an increase of £0.1 million compared with 2008/09.

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