Agreements

Johnson,Matthey PLC
18 May 2000


Johnson Matthey and James Cropper PLC Announce Agreement on Fuel Cell
Development

Johnson Matthey, the world leader in catalysts and catalysed components for
fuel cells, has concluded exclusive development and supply agreements with
Technical Fibre Products (TFP), the advanced composites subsidiary of James
Cropper PLC, for key components in Johnson Matthey's new Membrane Electrode
Assembly (MEA) products for fuel cells. This collaboration is an important
step in the development of high volume manufacturing of these components.

The agreements focus on the development of carbon composite substrates to be
used to support the catalysts and other active components within the MEA,
which forms the heart of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells. They
bring together Johnson Matthey's strong catalyst technology and intellectual
property in the field of fuel cells and MEA's and James Cropper's experience
in the volume manufacturing of advanced technical non-woven materials to form
a significant alliance for the development of commercial fuel cell
manufacturing. Under these agreements Johnson Matthey will market all of the
new products for fuel cells that result from the collaboration with James
Cropper TFP.

Commenting on the agreements Neil Carson, Executive Director of Johnson
Matthey, said:
'Technical Fibre Products are leaders in their field and we are delighted to
have them as exclusive partners and strategic suppliers to our fuel cell
business. The combination of TFP and Johnson Matthey's strong technology will
result in the mass production of world-class MEAs for our fuel cell customers,
the market for which is set to see dramatic growth over the next few years.' 

James Cropper, Chairman of James Cropper PLC commented:
'Technical Fibre Products is the world's leading developer of technically
advanced non-wovens made from high performance fibres. We have been supplying
fuel cell components for some time but working closely with Johnson Matthey
and its advanced MEA technology will enable us to develop new leading edge
products more quickly. We see the market for environmentally clean energy
generation systems growing rapidly in the automotive, domestic, industrial and
portable sectors in the next few years.'

Enquiries:
Johnson Matthey
Neil Carson,       Executive Director                       0207 269 8449
Jack Frost,        Director, Fuel Cell Business             0118 924 2158
Ian Godwin,        Group Corporate Communications Manager   0207 269 8410

James Cropper 
James Cropper,     Chairman                                 01539 722002
John Denman,       Group Finance Director                   01539 722002