Johnson Matthey, a global leader in sustainable technologies, today signed an investment agreement with the Jiading District People’s Government of Shanghai to accelerate the development of China’s hydrogen economy.

Johnson Matthey signs agreement for hydrogen investment in China

At the Group’s global technology centre in Sonning, UK, Johnson Matthey and the Jiading District of Shanghai today announced the construction of a world-leading automated clean room facility in Jiading, focusing on the production of precision catalyst coated film (CCM) components. Upon completion of the plant, Johnson Matthey will be able to supply high-quality, locally-produced CCM to local and international customers in China, including in the fuel cell and renewable (green) hydrogen technology sectors.

The first phase of the plant, which will have a capacity of 5GW and cover 22,000 square meters, will be located in a designated hydrogen industrial park in Shanghai’s Jiading district and is expected to be operational in 2025. In the future, the plant will have the possibility to further expand capacity according to customer demand.

The investment is driven by customer demand and is part of Johnson Matthey’s £1.1 billion capital expenditure to expand its global business, including the hydrogen business. The project will create a number of local jobs, attract global talent to gather in Jiading, and help localize the hydrogen energy industry. Therefore, the investment project is also strongly supported by the local government.

3503E

3503E

“This is a landmark investment,” said Dr. Lijun So, President of Johnson Matthey Greater China. Through this project, we will expand our footprint from the Americas and Europe to China, completing the layout of these three major markets for the hydrogen industry. “As China’s carbon neutrality process accelerates, we are proud to further develop our business in China to help build the capacity of the Chinese market for a low carbon transition and hopefully accelerate China’s historic ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.”

Gao Xiang, Governor of Jiading District, said: “Jiading District is a famous international automobile city and one of the earliest regions in China to develop hydrogen energy industry. Currently, Jiading District is actively building a hydrogen energy industry core technology innovation practice area and a national fuel cell vehicle demonstration city. This cooperation between Jiading District and Johnson Matthey can better leverage their respective advantages and promote win-win cooperation between the two sides.”

CCM is the decisive component for the critical performance of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The Chinese market expects to have one million hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on its roads by 2030. This investment agreement is an important step in supporting this ambitious goal and is a key step in helping China move towards net zero emissions.

With a long-standing presence in China and six top-notch manufacturing facilities, Johnson Matthey is the country’s leading producer of automotive catalysts, one of the largest traders and refiners of platinum group metals, and a leader in syngas and hydrogen fuel cells. Johnson Matthey is the first commercial-scale membrane electrode assembly (MEA) producer in China, having produced MEA for the hydrogen fuel cell shuttle buses showcased at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.