LONDON, March 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
- Global leader in sustainable technologies Johnson Matthey and leading international
precious metals mining group Sibanye-Stillwater, form a strategic
partnership.
- Collaboration will support development of science and
technologies for new products and markets which will underpin
sustainable supply chains for a low carbon future, including clean
hydrogen production and fuel cells.
- Partnership will drive circularity and reduce carbon footprints
in critical metal supply chains for customers across many global
industries.
- Provides security of platinum group metals (pgms) supply for
key technologies and end users.
Johnson Matthey (Ticker LSE:
JMAT), a global leader in sustainable technologies and
Sibanye-Stillwater (Tickers JSE: SSW and NYSE: SBSW), a leading
international precious metals mining group, are pleased to announce
that they have formed a strategic partnership to identify and
develop solutions to drive decarbonisation and the more efficient
use of critical metals such as pgms and metals used in battery
technology.
The challenge of tackling climate change has resulted in nations
around the world setting net zero targets to drive decarbonisation
through supply chains. At the same time, customers and
consumers are increasingly demanding responsibly sourced raw
materials and products.
Johnson Matthey is at the
forefront of science that enables a more sustainable future –
including technologies for clean hydrogen production, fuel cell
products, next generation battery materials and solutions for the
decarbonisation of the manufacture of chemicals. As the world's
largest fabricator and recycler (secondary refiner) of pgms, a
closed loop circular approach to maximise metal reuse has been part
of Johnson Matthey's DNA for many
decades.
Sibanye-Stillwater is a leading global pgm producer and a top
tier gold producer. The Group has also recently embarked on an
entry into the battery metals supply chain through an equity
investment into and partnership with, Keliber Oy, a Lithium
Hydroxide project in Finland.
Sibanye–Stillwater is also a leading global recycler of spent
catalytic converter materials containing platinum, palladium and
rhodium. Sibanye-Stillwater recently achieved an 'A-' rating by
non-profit global environmental disclosure platform CDP, in
recognition of its climate change action and disclosure.
Pgms, due to their unique properties, play a vital role in low
carbon technologies that will enable the path to net zero targets
globally. Pgms are at the heart of electrolyser technologies
for producing green hydrogen (i.e. hydrogen produced from renewable
energy and with no greenhouse gas emissions). Pgms are also a
crucial component of fuel cells, facilitating the conversion of
hydrogen into electrical energy with no harmful emissions.
The strategic partnership between the two companies will focus
on developing a number of opportunities to drive technological
innovation and ensure more sustainable supply chains for
customers:
1. Johnson Matthey and
Sibanye-Stillwater will collaborate on the sourcing and application
of pgms and metals used in battery technology to enable the
development and commercialisation of low carbon technologies, with
a focus on circularity and sustainability. In addition, the
companies will examine potential opportunities to apply their
collective experience to support the development of more
sustainable supply chains for battery materials.
2. The companies will combine their extensive expertise in
metals recycling to improve current technologies, particularly for
'difficult to recover' materials.
3. The strategic partnership builds on the existing relationship
between the two companies, which has ensured security of supply of
crucial pgms into many industries. Johnson
Matthey and Sibanye-Stillwater have also extended their
current pgm supply and refining agreements to ensure long term
sustainable supply for Johnson
Matthey's products and customers.
Commenting, Robert MacLeod, Chief
Executive of Johnson Matthey said,
"We are delighted to announce this important partnership with
Sibanye-Stillwater to accelerate development of the low carbon
technologies and sustainable supply chains needed for a cleaner,
heathier world. We are excited to bring together our
complementary expertise to help secure a more sustainable future
for tomorrow's industry."
Commenting, Neal Froneman, CEO of
Sibanye-Stillwater said, "We are delighted to enter into this
world-class partnership which further advances our commitment to
creating a greener future, by developing technologies for a better
tomorrow, utilising the metals we produce. Fast-tracking green
technology and working together to achieve ESG excellence will
enable us to continue to improve lives and the
environment."
Johnson Matthey is a global
leader in science that enables a cleaner and healthier world. With
over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and
technological breakthroughs, we improve the performance, function
and safety of our customers' products and in 2020 we received the
London Stock Exchange's Green Economy Mark, given to companies that
derive more than 50% of revenues from environmental solutions. Our
science has a global impact in areas such as low emission
transport, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing and making the most
efficient use of the planet's natural resources. Today more than
15,000 Johnson Matthey professionals
collaborate with our network of customers and partners to make a
real difference to the world around us.
For more information, visit www.matthey.com.
Inspiring science, enhancing life
Sibanye-Stillwater is a leading international precious metals
mining company, with a diverse portfolio of platinum group metal
(PGM) operations in the United
States and Southern Africa,
gold operations and projects in South
Africa, and copper, gold and PGM exploration properties in
North and South America.
It is the world's largest primary producer of platinum and
rhodium, the second largest primary producer of palladium and a top
tier gold producer, ranking third globally, on a gold-equivalent
basis, as well as a significant producer of other PGMs and
associated minerals such as chrome. It is also the leading global
recycler and processor of spent PGM catalytic converter
materials. Most recently, the Group has entered the battery
metals industry by investing in a lithium hydroxide project in
Finland.
For more information, visit www.sibanyestillwater.com.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/johnson-matthey-and-sibanye-stillwater-form-a-strategic-partnership-to-secure-critical-metals-and-accelerate-new-technologies-for-a-low-carbon-future-301250647.html
SOURCE Johnson Matthey PLC; Sibanye-Stillwater