Trading Statement

Johnson Matthey PLC
26 September 2007



              For Release at 7.00 am Wednesday 26th September 2007



           Johnson Matthey Pre Close Trading Update for the Half Year



The first half of Johnson Matthey's current financial year ends on 30th
September 2007 and its interim results for the half year will be announced on
28th November 2007.  Prior to entering its closed period the company is today
issuing the following update on current trading:



'Trading in the first half of Johnson Matthey's financial year has been in line
with expectations.  The encouraging start made in the first quarter has
continued in the second. Our new Environmental Technologies Division has
achieved strong sales growth with Emission Control Technologies (ECT) well
ahead.  Sales of heavy duty diesel catalysts for new vehicles in both Europe and
North America have increased substantially following the introduction of new
emission standards last year.  Process Technologies has also seen good demand
with continued growth in sales to China.



Precious Metal Products Division has benefited from the favourable trading
conditions for platinum group metals and good demand for manufactured products
and refining services.  Fine Chemicals & Catalysts Division has achieved good
sales growth with demand for both fine chemicals and catalysts ahead of last
year.



The segmental results for the first half of last year, restated for the new
divisions announced in June, are shown below.'





Comparative Information for Prior Year Restated for New Divisions


                            Half year to 30th September 2006              Year to 31st March 2007
                           Sales to     External     Operating        Sales to     External    Operating
                           external        sales        profit        external        sales       profit
                          customers    excluding                     customers    excluding
                                        precious                                   precious
                                          metals                                     metals
                          £ million    £ million     £ million       £ million    £ million    £ million


Environmental                 858.1        392.1          57.7         1,864.3        896.2        120.1
Technologies
Precious Metal Products     1,860.5        134.3          37.2         3,824.4        290.0         85.3
Fine Chemicals &              203.4        127.1          30.1           463.0        268.0         64.2
Catalysts
Corporate                        -            -          (8.4)              -            -        (17.2)
Continuing Businesses       2,922.0        653.5         116.6         6,151.7      1,454.2        252.4




Enquiries:




Ian Godwin                         Director, IR and Corporate Communications           020 7269 8410
John Sheldrick                     Group Finance Director                              020 7269 8408
Howard Lee                         The HeadLand Consultancy                            020 7367 5225
Laura Hickman                      The HeadLand Consultancy                            020 7367 5227















www.matthey.com




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