Trading Statement

Johnson Matthey PLC
22 March 2006


                For Release at 7.00 am Wednesday 22nd March 2006



                    Johnson Matthey Pre Close Trading Update


Johnson Matthey's financial year ends on 31st March 2006 and its preliminary
announcement of the full year results will be released on 1st June 2006.  Prior
to entering its closed period the company is today issuing the following update
on current trading:


"Trading in the second half of Johnson Matthey's financial year has continued in
line with the trading update given on Thursday 26th January 2006.  Catalysts
Division has continued to perform well with Environmental Catalysts and
Technologies (ECT) benefiting from growth in diesel emission control products in
Europe.  Demand for autocatalysts in the USA remains weak but sales in China and
Japan are well up on last year.  Overall ECT is on track to achieve 10% growth
in profits in the second half.  Process Catalysts and Technologies (PCT) has
also achieved good growth this year led by the Ammonia, Methanol, Oil and Gas
(AMOG) catalyst business.  On the 1st February 2006 we announced the acquisition
of Davy Process Technology (DPT) for £40 million.  Johnson Matthey and DPT have
had a long history of technical collaboration and the acquisition gives PCT the
opportunity to grow sales of catalysts into both existing and new markets.


The platinum price has remained strong and trading conditions in the precious
metals markets have been good which has benefited Precious Metal Products
Division.  Pharmaceutical Materials Division's sales have improved and profits
in the second half are expected to be ahead of the first.  Ceramics Division has
maintained the improvement achieved in the first half and should deliver good
profit growth for the year.


Overall, the outlook for the full year remains very much the same as we set out
in our interim statement.  Following an encouraging first half we are expecting
to achieve good growth in earnings for the year."



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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