Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ: HON) is weighing whether to abandon its planned purchase of Johnson Matthey’s Catalyst Technologies division, according to people familiar with the situation. The U.S. industrial conglomerate is re-evaluating the transaction, originally valued at about £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion), amid concerns over regulatory clearances and whether certain business milestones can be satisfied.
The companies remain in discussions and a final verdict could emerge within days, though the possibility of completing the deal has not been ruled out. Honeywell and Johnson Matthey are continuing conversations as they assess the path forward.
Honeywell had agreed in May 2025 to acquire the Catalyst Technologies business, which manufactures catalysts and enzymes used in a variety of industrial processes. The acquisition was presented as part of Honeywell’s broader effort to bolster its footprint in automation and technologies linked to sustainability and the energy transition.
For Johnson Matthey, the proposed sale was a central element of a restructuring plan aimed at streamlining the company and concentrating on its clean air operations and platinum group metals activities. The potential collapse of the transaction would represent a setback for that strategy.
Market reaction to the original announcement had been positive for Johnson Matthey shares. Following the deal announcement, the stock rose and has climbed nearly 60% over the past 12 months, a move investors connected to expectations of the divestment and related balance-sheet improvements.
Investors are watching the negotiations closely because the agreement was seen as a significant step for both firms: reshaping Johnson Matthey’s portfolio while widening Honeywell’s exposure to technologies relevant to energy transition and industrial sustainability.
Context and next steps
The immediate questions center on regulatory approvals in relevant jurisdictions and the ability of the Catalyst Technologies business to meet predefined milestones that form part of the acquisition conditions. How the parties resolve those points will determine whether the transaction proceeds to closing or is terminated.