Dr. Leon van de Water is Principal Scientist at the Johnson Matthey Technology Centre in Billingham, United Kingdom.
Johnson Matthey provides catalyst technology to support customers in their transition towards more sustainable products and production processes. In JM’s Technology Centre, Leon is leading an R&D team on developing new catalyst technology for the syngas, chemicals and hydrogen businesses, focusing on transitioning to alternative, non-fossil feedstocks. Apart from directly supporting JM’s businesses, external projects are executed in the Horizon Europe framework and through collaborations with academic partners within and outside the UK.
Leon obtained his master’s degree in chemistry at Utrecht University, graduating in the group of Prof. van Koten (organometallic chemistry). He then obtained his PhD in inorganic chemistry at Leiden University (NL) in the group of Prof. Reedijk, on the development of selective chelating ion exchangers. Before joining Johnson Matthey he worked as a post-doctoral researcher on zeolite catalysts (TU Delft, NL); in situ characterisation techniques (Utrecht University, NL); and development of photocatalysts (Sydney University, Australia).
Leon represents Johnson Matthey.