UK clean technology recognised by global list

Eight companies from the UK have been recognised in the Global Cleantech 100, a list that details the most promising global and innovative companies in the clean technology sector. Alex Blackburne dons his laboratory coat to find out more.

Nine of the UK’s most promising and innovative companies in the clean technology industry have been included in the 2011 Global Cleantech 100. Clean technology includes recycling, renewable energy and resource and energy efficiency and often has a significant emphasis on the use of information technology or green chemistry.

The ranking, which runs in association with The Guardian, Ernst & Young and the Cleantech Group, recognises the cleantech companies most likely to make a considerable impact on the market over the next decade.

Over 4,000 companies from 45 different countries were nominated, with that figure whittled down to 100 by a 70-strong panel of clean technology experts.

One such organisation is Amantys, an energy efficiency power electronics company based in Cambridge, who appear on the list for the first time.

Bryn Parry, CEO, said, “Amantys is the newest example of a high tech start-up in Cambridge, joining a growing number of businesses addressing global energy challenges.

“We are thrilled to have been selected to appear next to many of the companies at the forefront of the cleantech industry.”

Four of the UK’s nine inclusions on the list are from the energy efficiency sector:  4Energy, Nujira, Novacem and AMEE.

AMEE, which aggregates and automates access to the world’s environmental and energy information, tweeted, “We’re excited to be awarded and to be a part of this growing community of Cleantech innovators.”

Enecsys, whose micro-inverter “typically results in an improved [solar] energy harvest of approximately 15% to 25%” appear on the list for the second year running, whilst transportation developers EVO Electric, and sustainable forestry management organisation Helveta, also fly the flag for the UK.

Philip Briscoe, Marketing Director at Helveta, whose supply chain intelligence software is already being used to monitor in excess of 2.7m hectares of forestry across the world, explained how significant an impact the Cleantech 100 companies are making.

“2012 will be an important year as private and public sector organisations across the world look to implement a range of measures aimed at protecting the global environment whilst also delivering much needed economic growth.

“This recognition shows that Helveta is well placed to support governments, NGOs and companies around the world to meet these ambitions.”

Meanwhile, the final UK-based company on the list is Green Biologics, who specialise in biofuels and biomaterials, and their Chief Executive, Sean Sutcliffe, described how they had begun to make an impression worldwide.

“We have received much interest from around the globe and have now signed several commercial contracts from customers in our key markets of China, India, Brazil and the US looking to retrofit our process technology into their facilities.”

The global recognition of the nine companies on the Cleantech 100 from the UK shows that we’re at the forefront in terms of development and innovation in clean technology.

There is no doubt the difference each and every company can potentially make, so let us all look forward to experiencing it and investing in them.

If you want to know more about clean technology then there are many online sources of free and expert information.

If you interested in investing in cleantech you should seek professional financial advice. Phone your IFA, if you have one, or fill in our online form and we will put you in touch with one of our expert panel of specialist financial advisers.