The two companies revealed the MoU today (August 3), signalling the start of active dialogues to explore opportunities across green and blue hydrogen, fuel cells, decarbonisation technologies, and circular economy business in China.

It comes as Sinopec, one of the largest oil and petrochemical product suppliers in the country, strives to reach carbon neutrality ahead of 2060, by leveraging on green energy replacement and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies.

With experience as leader in sustainable technologies, Johnson Matthey’s China business started in 1993, now boasting six state-of-the art manufacturing facilities, which it claims delivers over 120 million auto catalysts each year.

Dr. Mark Su, President of Johnson Matthey China, said, “We are China’s leading auto catalyst producer, one of the largest platinum group metals refiners, a leading player across syngas and hydrogen fuel cells, and the first commercial scale MEA [membrane electrode assembly] producer in China.

“Some of the world’s biggest companies already rely on our technologies, and we are very excited to explore how we can work with Sinopec to expand our businesses whilst creating and scaling the low carbon solutions that help China achieve the carbon neutrality by 2060.”

Zhou Meiun, Deputy Chairman and General Manager of Sinopec Capital, added, “Sinopec has made its long term development strategic goal and dedicated to becoming a No.1 hydrogen company in China and a leading clean energy company in the world.

“We wish to have a deep collaboration with Johnson Matthey in carbon reduction and green energy fields to fully support achieving China’s national strategic goal of 30/60 carbon peak/carbon neutralisation.”