PR87855

LONDON, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

    - JM, a global leader in sustainable technologies to form technology

      collaboration with carbon neutral Formula E team

    - Co-development of the first ever two-seater electric race car powered

      using JM's eLNO(R) battery cathode materials

    - Multi year sponsorship of the Envision Virgin Racing team in Formula

      E - the world's first fully electric race series

    - Major step in the commercialisation of eLNO, showcasing JM's cathode

      material technology in action.

    - Partnership to share vision for cleaner, healthier world through the

      team's 'Race Against Climate Change' initiative

Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, has taken

another major step in its plans to commercialise eLNO, its family of nickel

rich advanced cathode materials, by entering into a strategic partnership with

Formula E team Envision Virgin Racing. The collaboration will see JM and

Envision Virgin Racing combine next generation cathode materials with leading

battery technology to create the first ever electric two-seater Formula E style

race car, powered by eLNO.

The concept vehicle will showcase eLNO in action and will act as a test bed,

providing valuable experience of a challenging automotive application that will

inform the continuous development of eLNO as a high performance, customisable

material for passenger cars. The multi year partnership will also see JM

sponsor the racing team's participation in the ABB FIA Formula E World

Championship.  

Formula E is the ultimate showcase for e-mobility, using only high performance

battery electric vehicles in its races. Envision Virgin Racing's mission is to

energise the 'Race Against Climate Change', focusing on accelerating the

transition to renewable energy and mass adoption of e-mobility. A founding team

of the ABB FIA World Championship, Envision Virgin Racing is the only current

Formula E racing team to be certified carbon neutral (PAS 2060).  They have

also partnered with the UK Government's 'Together for Our Planet' campaign to

encourage global action against climate change ahead of the COP26 Climate

Change Conference. Envision Virgin Racing is owned by Envision Group, who has

pioneered innovation work in areas such as smart wind technology, battery

development and AIoT infrastructure.

Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Envision Group and Executive Chairman of

Envision AESC, Lei Zhang said: "Envision Group, Envision Virgin Racing and

Johnson Matthey are all at the forefront of the EV revolution, so I am

delighted to be collaborating with them. As a global leader in sustainable

technologies, JM's vision aligns perfectly with the net zero values of

Envision, and I look forward to working together to tackle climate change

before it is too late."

Commenting, Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey, Robert MacLeod said: "Our

vision is for a world that's cleaner and healthier, so we are delighted to be

working together with Envision Virgin Racing and its owners Envision Group as

we both share an ambition to create a sustainable future. We're really excited

to create the first electric race car using eLNO technology -- which is a major

milestone in its commercialisation -- and also to join the team's 'Race Against

Climate Change' initiative and its goals of inspiring generations to take

action to protect the planet."

About Johnson Matthey:

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. Johnson Matthey is a

member of the Global Battery Alliance and supports the GBA's ten principles for

a sustainable battery value chain.    

For more information, visit www.matthey.com  

Inspiring science, enhancing life

eLNO is a trademark of Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company

About Envision Virgin Racing:

Owned by Envision Group, the Envision Virgin Racing Formula E Team is one of

the founding and most successful outfits in the ABB FIA Formula E World

Championship -- the innovative electric street racing series.

The purpose-driven team has sustainability running throughout its DNA and

exists for one simple purpose; to use its platform to inspire generations to

tackle climate change and transition to e-mobility and renewable energy. It

does this through its long-running 'Race Against Climate Change' programme and

prides itself on being the 'greenest team on the greenest grid', being the

first and only carbon neutral certified team (PAS 2060), one of a handful to

have achieved the FIA's Three Star Sustainability Accreditation, and the first

to sign up to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework. It is also a

partner of the biggest climate event, the UN's COP26 'Together for our Planet'

summit taking place in the UK in November.

On-track, the team continues to be one of the most successful ever with 11 wins

and 29 podiums to its name and remains the only team to have recorded victories

in every season to date. For the 2020/21 Formula E season, Envision Virgin

Racing will see Dutchman Robin Frijns complete his third season with the team

alongside newcomer New Zealand driver Nick Cassidy. Overseeing operations at

the team's commercial headquarters in London is Managing Director Sylvain

Filippi, who has been with the team since day one, together with Team &

Sporting Director Leon Price and Technical Director Chris Gorne based at the

team's operational arm at its state-of-the-art facilities at Silverstone.

Meanwhile, Envision Group's Franz Jung continues his role as Chairman of the

Board.

For further information visit: www.envisionvirginracing.com  

SOURCE: Johnson Matthey