The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Europe’s largest organisation for advancing the chemical sciences, has awarded a National Chemical Landmark to Royston-based company Johnson Matthey, a global leader in emission control technologies. 

The National Chemical Landmark is in recognition of the company’s 40th anniversary of the world’s first commercial autocatalysts being manufactured in Royston, Hertfordshire, and the subsequent development of catalysts and filters for petrol and diesel vehicles that have cleaned billions of tonnes of pollutants from the environment worldwide. The award was received at an event held at the company’s headquarters in Royston during the summer.

Johnson Matthey is known as a pioneer in the field of emissions control having made its first autocatalyst in its Royston facilities in May 1974. Through constant investment in R&D, Johnson Matthey’s emission control products have evolved over time to encompass different fuels and vehicles and enable improvements to air quality around the world. Johnson Matthey has retained its position as a global leader, supplying one third of all catalysts ever fitted to vehicles.

Photograph (L-R): Chris Morgan, technology director and David Prest, MD of Emission Control Technologies European Region Johnson Matthey, unveil the plaque from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) with Professor David Phillips, RSC.