European Business Awards for the Environment...

Nominees: Águas do Douro e Paiva, S.A. – Portugal Aquamarine Power – United KingdomCafédirect – United KingdomFreudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) – Germany GreenStream Network plc – FinlandINENSUS GmbH – Germany LichtBlick AG – GermanyMarks & Spencer – United KingdomOchsner Wärmepumpen GmbH – AustriaSener Ingeniería y Sistemas – SpainSlovenské elektrárne, a.s. – SlovakiaSNCF – FranceUmicore – Belgium Voies Navigables de France – France

European Business Awards for the Environment 2012

Combining innovation, competitiveness and outstanding environmental performance

14 pioneering projects in green innovation

Management Product

ProcessInternational Business Cooperation Business & Biodiversity

Greening our future

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Contents3 – Introduction 4-5 – The 2012 European Business Awards for the Environment Jury Panel6-7 – The Management Award 8-9 – The Product Award10-11 – The Process Award 12-13 – The International Business Cooperation Award 14-15 – The Business & Biodiversity Award16-17 – Showing you are the best - 25 years of rewarding green innovation18-19 – National representatives20 – Useful links

Legal Notices

The European Business Awards for the Environment are organised by the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission. Website: www.ebae.eu

© European Union, 2012 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Editorial work and layout: PRACSIS Printed in Belgium on recycled paper that has been awarded the EU Ecolabel for graphic paper

European coordinator

Natasza HoffmannThe European CommissionDirectorate-General for the Environment Unit F3 – Communication B-1049 BrusselsTel.: +32 2 296 77 56E-mail: [email protected]

European Business Awards for the Environment Secretariat

Nancy LukombeTel.: +32 2 340 30 64Fax: +32 2 345 17 84c/o PRACSISAvenue Herrmann Debroux 44 B 1160 BrusselsE-mail: [email protected]

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Environmental protection is no longer a luxury but a necessity for the continued health, wealth and well-being of our society. Ecosystems provide us with materials and services whose value we are only just beginning to recognise – as their prices start to creep up.

When policymakers drew up the EU 2020 strategy for growth and jobs, they made resource efficiency one of its flagship priorities. Even as we work together in Europe to build a regulatory framework that seeks to incentivise better resource use however, some businesses are already ahead of the game.

They have understood that resource efficiency is not about shouldering extra burdens but about seizing new business opportunities. The European Business Awards for the Environment recognise the leaders of the pack in Europe when it comes to eco-innovation and long-term vision.

Despite an ongoing economic crisis, these are companies that understand tomorrow’s world will not be today’s. The rise of emerging economies such as China and India is redefining who has access to what resources at what price.

The 14 finalists in this year’s Awards have taken our long-time mantra of green growth and put it into action. They are implementing resource efficiency and reaping its benefits.

And their bottom line helps our bottom line because these are companies that produce maximum economic value with minimum environmental impact, whether it is through management, product, or process innovations, a new collaboration with a developing country partner or specific action to boost biodiversity.

They come from all sectors – retail and energy to water and transport – and from diverse EU Member States, both old and new. They include SMEs and large corporations and demonstrate that no matter where you come from or what size you are, economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

With the number of entries for the Awards higher than ever this year, the good news is that the message seems to be spreading. The bad news is that even now, others risk beating us to it.

Janez PotočnikCommissioner for the Environment

Introduction

Janez Potočnik European Commissioner for the Environment

Greening our future4

Rewarding Europe’s best green businessesThe European Business Awards for the Environment are presented by the European Commission every two years and recognise European companies that have made an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.

The competition has five award categories: Management, Product, Process, International Business Cooperation and Business & Biodiversity. The intention is to reward compa-nies that set an example in each category through a com-bination of innovation, economic viability, environmental concern and social responsibility. The scheme marks out companies and organisations whose activities contribute to economic and social development without detriment to the environment.

To be eligible, companies must first succeed in their national award schemes, which are organised throughout Europe every year. This means that the companies awarded the European prize are ‘the best of the best’; the most far-sighted, responsible and innovative across Europe. Companies from all EU Member States and can-didate countries can apply for the awards. The submis-sion of entries to the European awards competition is managed by national coordinating bodies.

The competition has been running since 1987 and is an indication of the strong interest taken by businesses in caring for the environment and their increased awareness of the economic and social benefits that this brings.

Mr Claus TORP (President)Deputy Director-General, Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Board member of The Society for Environmental Engineering, IDAMiljø.

Ms Marta Szigeti BONIFERTExecutive Director, Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe; member of the Environmental Management and Law Association; board member of the Europorosperitas 2010 Foundation; scientific advisor to Agroinnova/Torino University Scientific Committee; head of the environmental committee of the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum.

Dr John C. BOWMAN, CBE Environmental consultant; jury member of the RSA Environmental Management Awards; Vice-President of the Business Commitment to the Environment Awards; Chair of the Royal Society of Arts Forum for Environment and Sustainable Development Awards.

Professor Wilfried BOCKELMANNFormer Chairman of the BDI environment and technology committee; former Director of Volkswagen Klassik and former Executive Vice-President of Technical Development at Volkswagen.

Professor Martin BRANISProfessor at the Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. Former director and currently vice-director of the Institute. Member of the national committee of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme. Secretary General of the European Aerosol Assembly, American Association for Aerosol Research and German Gesellschaft für Aerosolforschung.

Dr Gerard DIJKEMAAssociate Professor of Energy and Industry at Delft University of Technology; member of the general council and PvdA leader of the Delfland Water Authority; jury member of the Ei van Columbus; member of the presidential sustainability initiative committee, Institute of Electric and Electronics Engineers.

Mr Heinz FELSNERCEO of KPI Consult GmbH, Switzerland; founding board member of the Austrian Business Council for Sustainable Development; Vice-President of Schweiz-Österreich-Liechtenstein chamber of commerce; Chairman of the EBAE Jury 2006; member of the EBAE Jury 2008.

Professor Marco FREYDirector of the Institute of Management; responsible for research projects on environmental management, energy economics and management, corporate social responsibility, industrial clusters, environmental innovation, local sustainability, supply chain management and green procurement; coordinator of numerous projects founded by the European Commission concerning environmental and CSR management systems in industrial clusters (PIONEER, ESEMPLA, COOPERATE, COSMIC, ECCELSA, BRAVE).

An independent panel of 20 Jury members from across Europe met in Copenhagen from 14 to 16 March 2012 to assess and evaluate the record 156 entries from 24 EU and candidate countries submitted for this year’s edition of the awards. The Jury consists of representatives from industry, non-governmental organisations, academia and public authorities. All Jury members are experts in environmental matters.

The 2012 European Business Awards for the Environment Jury Panel

Members of the Jury:

The EBAE jury session in Copenhagen in March 2012

under the presidency of Mr Claus Torp

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Greening our future

Jury meeting 2012 - Plenary session

Jury meeting 2012 - Management category session

Rewarding Europe’s best green businesses

Mr Viktor GRILCHead of the Group for Sustainable Waste Management at the Laboratory for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, National Institute of Chemistry Slovenia (NIC); Part-time Professor in Environmental Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Faculty for Chemistry and Chemical Technology, and Faculty for Civil Engineering; professional engineer (registered at the Slovene Chamber of Engineers); registered auditor for environmental management systems (ISO 14001); registered auditor for the eco-management & audit scheme (EMAS).

Ms Eva JENSEN JUULSenior Policy Adviser, Danish Ministry of the Environment – Nature Agency; Danish representative in the Commission’s Coordination Group on Biodiversity and Nature, responsible for the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 and the Common Implementation Framework; project leader of the ongoing Nordic project on business and biodiversity; member of the Steering Committee for the EU B@B Platform since it was established.

Ms Marta KACZYNSKA Policy Officer, European Commission, DG Environment, Biodiversity Unit, responsible for the development of the EU Business and Biodiversity Platform and biodiversity integration in the European Neighbourhood Policy, focal point for the Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention).

Ms Seyda KESKINInternational Lead Auditor, Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) – international auditors for quality, occupational health and safety, environmental management systems and food safety systems. Ms Keskin has coordinated many national projects dealing with these issues. She was also involved in the development and dissemination of works dealing with the environmental management system standards ISO 14001 and ISO for the Turkish Standards Institute. Ms Keskin was the President of the Turkey Quality Association Environmental Working Group for 8 years.

Dr Godwin C MICALLEFManagement consultant and financial controller; board member of the Malta Standards Authority; member of the National Commission for Sustainable Development; Secretary to the Foundation for Human Resources Development; former Senior Vice-President of the Malta Federation of Industry Council; member of the adjudicating committee for the National Environment Award for Industry; member of the adjudicating committee for the Environment Award of the Regional Activity Centre for Cleaner Production (RAC/CP) within the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP).

Professor László MIKLÓSMember of Parliament; Vice-Chairman of the committee for agriculture, environment and nature conservation, National Council of the Slovak Republic; Professor at the Technical University in Zvolen and a member of the Scientific Council; leading scientist at the Institute of Landscape Ecology at the Slovak Academy of Sciences; President of the European Association for Landscape Ecology.

Mr Mait PALTSDirector General, Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; member of the Advertising Council, Consumer Protection Board; alternate member of the European Economic and Social Committee; Estonian expert for the FIDIC Disputes Solving Committee – assigned by the Estonian Association of Architectural and Consulting Engineering Companies; member of the Environmental Management Commission, Ministry of the Environment;

member of the Council of The Estonian Centre of Standardisation; Chairman of the Council of The Estonian Institute of Economic Research; member of the Metrology Council of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications; member of the Tariff Issues Working Group of the Ministry of Finance; member of the Consumer Complaint Committee, Consumer Protection Board.

Professor Mari PANTSAR-KALLIOProgramme Director of the Finnish Cleantech Cluster Programme (2007-2013), lead by Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd, and established by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy; Deputy Managing Director of the Lahti Science and Business Park; Adj. Professor of Environmental Chemistry at the University of Helsinki; President of the governmental FECC organisation (Finnish Environmental Cluster for China).

Dr Paul Michel SCHOSSELERDirector of the Resource Centre for Environmental Technologies, member of the Executive Management Board of the Luxembourg Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) Henri Tudor, member of the Luxembourg Eco-innovation Cluster, former vice-chair of the Member States Mirror Group (MSMG) of the European Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform (WSSTP).

Dr Jan SKOWRONEK Director of the Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas in Katowice; coordinator of the International Scientific Thematic Network for Environmental Technologies, Envitech-Net; coordinator of the Polish Platform for Environmental Technologies; member of the Commission on Environmental Protection and Waste Utilisation of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Katowice Branch; member of the Polish Normalisation Commission on Radiation Protection; member of the Programming Council for the competition “Leader of Polish Ecology” organised by the Polish Minister of the Environment; representative of the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education for GMES.

Ms Helena Wolf TILLBORGDirector of Ocean Harvestion Technologies AB, Marketing and Business Development; Project Manager and Business Advisor for Teknopol; Project Manager for Zirro – cross-sectorial innovation arena for zero diabetes; advisor and coach for early stage innovation companies dealing with cleantech and sustainability.

Professor Carlo VANDECASTEELEProfessor of Environmental Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Leuven, Belgium. His research relates to ‘recycling and energetic valorisation of reststreams’ and to ‘the environmental impact of production processes, industrial sites and regions’. He teaches ‘environmental technology’, ‘the chemical industry and sustainable development’, and ‘recycling and energetic valorisation of reststreams’. Chairman of the Belgian Business Awards for the Environment and the environmental advisory committee of KBC Asset Management; a board member of WWF Belgium.

The Management Award Marks & Spencer Plan A - Doing the Right Thing

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Marks & Spencer, United KingdomMarks & Spencer’s ‘Plan A’ is an agenda-setting programme to embed a sustainable approach to business across the company’s operations and beyond. The retailer has adopted an ambitious plan to reduce its resource impacts. Launched in 2007, the strategy includes 180 commitments relating to green procurement, fair trade, waste management, biodiversity conservation, corporate social responsibility, carbon emissions reduction and energy efficiency.

The organisation says:“The degree to which Plan A sets a benchmark for corporate sustainability in the UK and beyond is evidenced in the level of recognition we have been proud to receive. We go beyond what is in our direct control, and drive Plan A into our supply base. Goods not for resale are not excluded from scope, and we are working hard to drive sustainable behaviour change amongst our 21m customers (in 2010/11 alone Plan A delivered over £70m in net benefits). Crucially we are aiming that by 2020 all our products (2.7bn sold per annum) will have at least one Plan A quality (i.e. fair trade, organic, free-range). This will influence every buying decision we make, and will have a huge impact for suppliers and customers, guaranteeing our Plan is locked deep into our value chain”.

Contact: Helen McTaggart ([email protected]) Website: www.marksandspencer.com

The Jury’s verdict: The company successfully integrated the sustainable management of resources into all of its operations and supply chains. Highlights include:• The implementation of an ambitious strategy to reduce the company’s

resource impacts, using a number of instruments to promote green public procurement, fair trade, biodiversity conservation, and corporate social responsibility;

• M&S has presented an excellent example of sustainable retail practice with sound replication potential and a positive impact on consumers as well as suppliers.

This award is for companies with outstanding strategic vision and management systems which enable them to continuously improve their contribution to sustainable development.

Award CriteriaCommitment Corporate mission and policy statements – including an environmental policy – must be consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

Integration Environmental and social issues must be fully integrated into mainstream business management alongside financial performance, with clear objectives and targets for improving performance.

Performance improvementThere must be continuous improvement in performance against the organisation’s stated environmental and social objectives as demonstrated by regular monitoring and reporting.

Accountability There must be regular and systematic dialogue with stakeholders – such as employees, suppliers, customers and non-governmental organisations – with feedback of the results into management decision-making.

Employee involvement Employees must be closely involved in all aspects of environmental management and there must be capacity-building in other areas of corporate social responsibility.

Replication potential There must be clear potential for good practice and innovation to be shared with other organisations – for example through involvement in business networks and dissemination at conferences.

WIN

NER

Águas do Douro e Paiva, S.A., Marks & Spencer and SNCF were selected by the Jury for the Management Award category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2012.

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Marks & Spencer Plan A - Doing the Right Thing

An integrated and sustainable management model for drinking water utilities

The implementation of sustainable procurement creates value: a global value for business, the environment, society and suppliersÁguas do Douro e Paiva, S.A., Portugal

A Portuguese regional water supplier, Águas do Douro e Paiva designs, constructs and manages systems for water catchment, treatment and distribution. Through its integrated management model the company addresses water quality and quantity challenges.

The organisation says:“Aware of our responsibilities to guarantee water supply to 1.7 million people, we conceived an integrated management model based on the principles of: product safety, energy efficiency, environment and biodiversity protection, innovation, stakeholder involvement, the promotion of environmental values in the community and transparent communication. This management system materialises our commitments towards sustainability, ensuring the financial results that allow a fair and socially acceptable price (the lowest in Portugal) as well as value creation for our shareholders (the state and municipalities)”.

Contact: Ines Freitas ([email protected]) Website: www.addp.pt

The Jury’s verdict: Águas do Douro e Paiva has developed an integrated management system based on the principles of product quality, the prevention of environmental impacts and compensation of CO2 emissions. This business model can be replicated by other utility companies around the world. Highlights include:• The company is a regional water supplier which is involved in the

design, construction and management of water catchment, treatment and distribution;

• The company has paid particular attention to customer satisfaction as well as the motivation and involvement of employees by implementing an ambitious communication and community building strategy;

• It has made major improvements to its infrastructure.

SNCF, FranceA major railway operator, SNCF employs 235,000 people in 120 countries around the world. The company’s procurement department has implemented a new procurement procedure, which takes into account environmental and health protection as well as enhanced resource management.

The organisation says:“The strategy of SNCF is to lead the transformation towards sustainable procurement through a strong focus on global performance integrating sustainability and responsibility into each step of the core processes thus generating value for the company and its stakeholders and enabling the buyers to become true business partners with their internal customers and suppliers. Price, quality, the environment, society, SME’s … are all taken into account in the procurement decisions for more global and shared sustainability.”

Contact: Olivier Menuet ([email protected])Website: www.sncf.fr

The Jury’s verdict: The Jury selected this company for its initiative in implementing a new procurement procedure which integrates sustainability into its purchasing systems. Highlights include:• The programme takes cost and quality into account as well as the

CSR criteria, and incorporates these considerations into technical specifications and calls for tenders.

• The company’s purchasing staff has evolved from simple buyers to business partners who have a broader understanding of the company’s requirements and their external suppliers.

• The whole procurement organisation and processes are aligned around this new vision.

WIN

NER

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The Product Award Aquamarine Power’s Oyster wave energy technology

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Aquamarine Power, United KingdomBased in Scotland, the pioneering wave energy company Aquamarine Power has developed an innovative hydro-electric near-shore device known as Oyster. The system, which captures wave energy and converts it into clean sustainable electricity, could also potentially be used for reverse osmosis desalination. Oyster is a buoyant, hinged flap which is attached to the seabed. This hinged flap, which is almost entirely underwater, pitches backwards and forwards in the near-shore waves. The movement of the flap drives two hydraulic pistons which push high pressure water onshore via a subsea pipeline to drive a conventional hydro-electric turbine.

The organisation says:“World-leading wave energy company Aquamarine Power is developing the innovative Oyster wave power technology to deliver clean, green energy from our seas. The company has successfully delivered two full-scale Oyster devices and has secured seabed leases totalling 240MW off the coast of Scotland. The company has raised over £70m towards the commercialisation of Oyster and has major multinational backing for its technology, its team and the potential for Oyster to capitalise on the multi-billion global wave energy market.”

Contact: Jessica Owen ([email protected]) Website: www.aquamarinepower.com

The Jury’s verdict: Utilising a radically innovative way of harvesting a substantial natural renewable energy resource, Aquamarine Power has shown that this product can withstand the conditions in which it has to operate. Highlights include:• A method for generating energy that can reduce the use of fossil energy

and has a low environmental footprint;• This device could be applied in many coastal areas around the world and

may provide low cost off-grid electricity for water desalination;• The company has shown the persistence to develop and promote this

product.

This award is for companies that have developed a new product or related service that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.

Award CriteriaInnovationSubstantial innovation in the product or service must bring improvements in environmental performance over comparable alternatives, while maintaining functional performance.

Environmental benefitClear and quantified analysis must demonstrate increased resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact over the complete lifecycle of the product or service (e.g. through lifecycle assessment).

Social benefitThe product or service must meet the needs of consumers and bring wider social benefits (e.g. providing decent working conditions; safeguarding consumer health; improving quality of life).

Economic benefitProof must be given that the new product or service is economically viable (e.g. through sales performance data or credible sales projections).

Commitment The senior management must be clearly committed to the development and marketing of the product or service and must give an indication of its importance with regard to the organisation’s overall strategy.

Replication potential There must be clear potential for wider adoption of the innovative aspects of the product or service, and a willingness to share this knowledge and expertise with other organisations.

WIN

NER

Aquamarine Power, LichtBlick AG and Ochsner Wärmepumpen GmbH were selected by the Jury for the Product Award category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2012.

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Aquamarine Power’s Oyster wave energy technology

New generation of air-source heatpumps

Generating “swarm power” with intelligently controlled at home power plants

Ochsner Wärmepumpen GmbH, AustriaThe innovative heat pump manufacturer OCHSNER has developed a new high-efficiency split-evaporator for its air/water heat pumps, which improves efficiency, reduces consumption and lowers heating costs. Furthermore, the evaporator’s new ventilator technology reduces noise emissions.

The organisation says:“The heat pump manufacturer OCHSNER has developed a new high-efficiency split-evaporator (VHS-M Millennium Edition) which boosts the efficiency of air/water heat pumps significantly. In addition to reducing emissions, this new evaporator together with the new OCHSNER heat pump makes an important contribution to delivering a significant reduction in energy consumption and heating costs in new and old buildings.”

Contact: Bettina Achleitner ([email protected])Website: www.ochsner.com

The Jury’s verdict: This project is an important innovation to enhance heat pumps for use in the built environment. The performance of the product has been verified by an independent Swiss institution. Given its high replication potential, especially for refurbishment and retrofit applications, this product could have an enormous impact on energy efficiency.

LichtBlick AG, GermanyLichtBlick AG, in close cooperation with Volkswagen AG, has developed a high-efficiency cogeneration unit, known as the “ZuhauseKraftwerk” (home power plant), that simultaneously produces heat and electricity and increases energy efficiency.

The organisation says:“The ‘ZuhauseKraftwerk’ (home-power-plant) is a high-efficiency cogeneration unit. Each unit supplies households with eco-friendly heat. At the same time the individual units are linked together in a smart way to produce what LichtBlick calls ‘SchwarmStrom’ (swarm power). The flexibility of this solution enables it to complement fluctuating wind and solar power and to increase grid stability. With its comprehensive service package, LichtBlick is the first company to enable a wide audience to apply such an innovative concept. The concept makes the usage of cogeneration easy and affordable for the customer.”

Contact: Nadine Bethke ([email protected])Website: www.lichtblick.de

The Jury’s verdict: An excellent example of a smart cleantech application, this is a proven solution for decentralised electric power supply by micro-cogeneration plants with a high replication potential. This product can play an important role in balancing grid capacity and local heat demand. The Jury highlighted:• It is a combination of ICT features with innovative product functions;• The company has shown strong persistence in developing the concept

and organising partnerships.

WIN

NER

The Process Award Recycling of NiMH and Li-ion batteries: a sustainable new business

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Umicore, BelgiumUmicore has successfully implemented the world’s first recycling process for used Li-ion and NiMH batteries. The process enables metal recovery with a minimum amount of environmental impact. The project involves closed loop recycling of valuable elements such as cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earth elements.

The organisation says:“NiMH and Li-ion batteries power electric vehicles and consumer electronics. A safe and environmentally sound recycling method is essential to support the sustainable development of these markets. With Umicore’s UHT recycling process, key battery compounds are reprocessed into new battery materials. The recycled materials have a lower CO2-footprint than the original products and save natural resources. Umicore’s plant – the first industrial recycling plant for advanced rechargeable batteries – will decrease Europe’s dependency on critical raw materials.”

Contact: Jan Tytgat ([email protected])Website: www.umicore.com

The Jury’s verdict: In line with the Raw Materials Initiative and Batteries Directive, this project facilitates the recycling of all types of Li-ion batteries together, without mechanical disassembling, thereby avoiding the release of dusts and organics into the atmosphere. It also reduces the negative impacts on the environment and health that occur when the batteries are landfilled. The Jury highlighted that:• Electricity storage is important in relation to renewable electricity

generation. NiMH and Li-ion batteries allow such storage and moreover they are used in electric vehicles and in consumer electronics. The production of such batteries is expected to boom in the future;

• It permits closed loop recycling of Co, Ni, Cu, REEs;• This is the first industrial scale recycling project for NiMH and Li-ion

batteries.

This award is for companies that have developed and applied a new production technology that makes an outstanding contribution to sustainable development.

Award CriteriaInnovation The technology must include specific innovative elements that promote more eco-efficient production (e.g. by increasing resource efficiency or reducing waste and emissions).

Environmental benefit The environmental benefits of the new technology must be clear and quantified (e.g. through use of eco-efficiency indicators).

Social benefitAdoption of the new technology should result in social impacts (e.g. employment opportunities; working conditions; effects on local communities) that are either neutral or positive.

Economic benefit Proof must be given that the new technology is economically viable (e.g. with reference to capital and operating costs).

Commitment The senior management must be clearly committed to adopting the new process or technique and must give an indication of its importance in the context of the organisation’s overall operations.

Replication potential There must be clear potential for wider adoption of the innovative aspects of the technology and a willingness to share this knowledge and expertise with other organisations.

WIN

NER

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST), Sener Ingeniería y Sistemas and Umicore were selected by the Jury for the Process Award category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2012.

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Recycling of NiMH and Li-ion batteries: a sustainable new business

Narrow Strip Forming Laser Tech-nology (SUL): A process technology innovation to manufacture metal rings for dynamic seals

Gemasolar, the Sun’s cathedral

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST), GermanyThe technology specialist Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) has developed an innovative sheet forming system, called narrow strip forming laser technology (SUL – Schmalband Umform Laserschweiß-Technologie): A process technology innovation to manufacture metal rings for dynamic seals. The new sustainable process is virtually waste-free, reduces material use by 73% and lowers CO2 emissions.

The organisation says:“The SUL technology is an innovative method of metal forming to manufacture radial shaft seals. This method does not punch rings from a broad steel strip, but starts with a narrow strip. This strip is rolled over a roller bending unit, cut by laser and then welded directly into a ring by the same laser. Immediately afterwards, the metal rings are finished fully automatically in a single continuous inline process. Depending on the specifications required, they are flanged, profiled and/or bevelled. SUL requires just a few tools, so prototypes can be produced quickly and easily. The entire product development process chain is shorter and more efficient, while small scale production is more economic due to the faster set-up times.”

Contact: Jürgen Ruhnau ([email protected])Website: www.fst.com

The Jury’s verdict: The Jury recognised this project as an innovative method of metal forming to manufacture radial shaft seals which reduces material use and waste. The Jury highlighted that it also works without any punch oil, so that no post-cleaning is required and other chemicals (solvents, surfactants) are saved.

Sener Ingeniería y Sistemas, SpainGemasolar is the first commercial plant in the world to use central tower receiver and molten salt heat storage technology, capable of reaching more than 550ºC and boasting a storage capacity of 15 hours. Solar power is used to melt a salt mixture at high temperatures and the resulting energy is either harnessed to generate electricity or stored for later use.SENER was responsible for supplying all the technology for Gemasolar as well as the basic and detailed engineering design.

The organisation says:“This plant opens the path to a new thermosolar power generation technology, which is more efficient than the one used in the commercial thermosolar power stations currently being built. The plant incorporates significant technological innovations, including the molten salt solar receiver and the molten salt heat storage system, which allow the plant to keep generating electricity even when there is no sunlight.”

Contact: Pilar García ([email protected])Website: www.sener.es

The Jury’s verdict: The Jury selected this project as the company’s use of salt as a high temperature storage medium, rather than for instance oil, is innovative and increases storage time. Highlights include:• The company is addressing the need for energy storage in combination

with renewable electricity generation;• The process uses concentrated solar power to melt a salt mixture at

high temperatures. The stored energy can be used to generate steam/electricity at once, or can be kept for electricity generation at a later stage;

• A large-scale installation is already operational in Spain and can be replicated.

WIN

NER

MicroPowerEconomy – a Private Public Partnership model for comprehensive island-grid village electrification withrenewable energy

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INENSUS GmbH, GermanyAn innovative business and risk management model for electricity supply in off-grid villages of developing countries, “MicroPowerEconomy” aims to attract large scale private investments for renewable energy power supply components to be operated in island-grids. It brings two private partners, German company INENSUS GmbH and the Senegalese company MATFORCE CSI, together with public entities in Senegal.

The organisation says:“Mini-grids incorporating renewable sources are an effective means of supplying electricity to off-grid areas in developing countries. To tap this potential on a larger scale, private sector engagement is required. The MicroPowerEconomy is a private public partnership model using smart metering technology to reduce the perceived risks associated with mini-grid investments, encourage renewable energy application and foster the productive use of electricity.The model has been tested and prepared for the scale-up phase in Senegal and is now being rolled out in different countries around the world.”

Contact: Nico Peterschmidt ([email protected])Website: www.inensus.com

The Jury’s verdict: This project is a truly innovative and proven cooperative business model, which will be replicated to provide off-grid micropower to Senegalese villages. Highlights include:• The use of renewable sources for energy production to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution, including oil spills and toxic waste;

• The improvement of living standards in a sustainable way; • The development of a replicable model for electricity supply in remote

regions of developing countries.

Award CriteriaClear objectives The cooperation must be guided by a business relationship and a clear statement of shared objectives demonstrating how it expects to contribute to the environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainable development.

Planning and resource allocationThe cooperation must be thoroughly planned and must be allocated sufficient human and financial resources to enable it to work effectively towards its objectives.

Sustainable benefitThe cooperation must produce measurable and lasting benefits that are consistent with the principles of sustainable development (e.g. reduced resource consumption, improved working conditions, poverty alleviation).

Sustainable productionIn order to promote the transfer of technology, the company who jointly conceives the idea for the new product with its partner in a developing country, guarantees the sustainable production and sustainable use of the product (or process). Moreover, the project shall be business-driven.

Equity Benefits must be produced more efficiently and effectively as a result of the cooperation (e.g. by avoiding duplication of effort, mobilising greater expertise, building trust, etc.).

Replication potential There must be potential for applying the innovative aspects of the cooperation to other situations and partners.

WIN

NER

GreenStream Network plc and INENSUS GmbH were selected by the Jury for the International Business Cooperation Award category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2012.

The International Business Cooperation Award This award is for companies that have developed an international partnership for sharing knowledge and technology, leading to sustainable growth in developing countries.

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Expanding Climate Knowledge in China: A Co-Operative Business ApproachGreenStream Network plc, FinlandThe Finnish organisation GreenStream Network, in cooperation with the Beijing-based Juno Capital Group, has created a programme to develop greenhouse gas reduction projects throughout China. So far, their joint efforts have resulted in sixty projects with a combined CO2 emission reduction potential of 50 million tons per year.

The organisation says:“GreenStream Network Plc. has developed, in co-operation with its local partner, a leading centre of environmental services based in Beijing, China. This “carbon-hub” is located in Beijing as China is leading the global development of renewable energy and is the largest supplier of CERs under the CDM of the Kyoto Protocol. The informal networks of the Juno Capital Group team have opened many doors and consequently GreenStream has now established relationships with many of the major energy companies in China.”

Contact: Jussi Nykänen ([email protected])Website: www.greenstream.net

The Jury’s verdict: This is a proven partnership between the Finnish company GreenStream and the Chinese Juno Capital Group concerning the Chinese renewable energy sector. It provides access to the green business market in China, thus stimulating more sustainable energy generation in the country. The Jury highlighted:• The creation of sixty projects in China, which could collectively reduce

CO2 emissions by 50 million tons per year;• This project has the potential to be replicated within emerging

economies, especially in countries with growing energy demands.

WIN

NER

The Business & Biodiversity Award

Energy for Nature: Saving most precious animal species in Slovak mountains

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Slovenské elektrárne, a.s., SlovakiaA subsidiary of the Enel group, Slovenské elektrárne’s core business is the production and sale of electricity. It is the largest power generating company in Slovakia and the second largest in Central and Eastern Europe. The company has developed its corporate social responsibility programme, which includes the Energy for Nature project. The project covers activities designed to protect nature and the environment by combining biodiversity support and stabilisation. Environmental policy is an inherent part of its corporate management and culture. One of the company’s main principles is to create conditions for sustainable development and take responsible actions with respect to the environment and nature.

The organisation says:“Our company, together with the largest national park in Slovakia, has supported the protection of critically endangered species – marmots, chamois, trout, eagles and others. In particular, the marmot has been successfully re-introduced in areas it originally inhabited. The locations were selected based on DNA sample analysis. Our employees participate in voluntary actions related to the cleaning of natural habitats. In addition, we support monitoring and on-line video transmissions from Peregrine Falcon nests, which are used for environmental education (for schools and the public).”

Contact: Alena Mečiarová ([email protected])Website: www.seas.sk

The Jury’s verdict: The Jury selected this project for creating sustainable promotion and investment public-private partnerships. Highlights include: • The company’s investment has supported the Natura 2000 habitat

and species directive;• It has led to the engagement of employees and the local community

to deliver activities on the ground;• It has a high replication potential, and is an example for cross-border

corporate social responsibility and biodiversity financing projects.

This award is for companies with outstanding achievements in halting biodiversity loss and supporting natural ecosystems. The ‘Business and Biodiversity’ Award was created in 2012.

Award CriteriaMain and additional criteria have been established to facilitate the evaluation work of the jury.

Main criteria:• Is the ecosystem/habitat/species important? E.g. Is the

action in a Natura 2000 area or one covered by the Habitat or Birds Directive? Is it threatened? Is it indigenous?

• How extensive is the impact? E.g. What is the geographical area covered? What other types of land use can be found in the region? Are there negative side effects?

• Does the action contribute to the protection of biodiversity in a broader context? E.g. Is it a constituent of an ecological corridor? Does the action involve others in the company or beyond? Does it develop and/or use green-infrastructure and/or ecosystem-based approaches to climate-change adaptation and mitigation?

• How sustainable is the protection of biodiversity? E.g. Are staff appropriately trained? Is financing in place to sustain the action? Is the awareness of other actors raised?

Additional criteria:If the jury is unable to reach a decision on the basis of the four main criteria, then the following additional criteria may also be used:accountability, employee involvement, innovation, social benefit, economic benefit, commitment, replication potential, clear objectives, synergy, duration and consistency of the initiatives, public evaluation and environmental benefit.

WIN

NER

Cafédirect, Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. and Voies Navigables de France were selected by the Jury for the Business and Biodiversity Award category of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2012.

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Adaptation for Smallholders to Climate Change (AdapCC)

Restoring the French waterways embankments in an ecological engineering approach

Cafédirect, United KingdomSince 2007, Cafédirect and its partners have been jointly developing and implementing adaptation strategies with smallholder tea and coffee farmers. Their project aimed to create replicable examples of successful adaptation and funding mechanisms. One partner, CEPICAFE in Peru, has gone on to pioneer the innovative Reforestation Sierra Piura project to fund adaptation through mitigation. Adaptation for Smallholders to Climate Change (AdapCC) is a ground-breaking partnership between Cafédirect, four smallholder cooperatives and GIZ to develop innovative sustainable grower community strategies to tackle the devastating impacts of climate change.

The organisation says:“Cafédirect is an innovative social enterprise driven by our dynamic mission to change lives and build communities through inspirational, sustainable business. AdapCC and the resulting Reforestation Sierra Piura project are unique examples of mutually beneficial cooperation between a private social enterprise, smallholder producer organisations and a development body. AdapCC is unique because: it focuses on adaptation vs. mitigation for vulnerable farmers in the developing world; bridges the North/South divide – offering a model of cooperation and mutual benefit; and prioritises action over research – contributing regional-specific research where it was most lacking, but primarily aiming to create replicable adaptation examples.”

Contact: Jacquie Bance ([email protected])Website: www.cafedirect.co.uk

The Jury’s verdict: Cafédirect’s innovative financing mechanism gives locals the opportunity to benefit from tradable CO2 quotas. As an SME with global outreach and a fair trade record, the organisation has overseen agroforestry management, particularly in the area of ecosystem services for water sustainability. The AdapCC project involves the financing of re-afforestation at high altitudes with multiple benefits for biodiversity.

Voies Navigables de France, FranceThe French inland waterways operator, Voies Navigables de France (VNF), has designed and implemented an innovative ecological engineering approach to restore, maintain and consolidate the country’s embankments. The method involves the use of natural materials such as plants, wood and biodegradable textiles, and supports biodiversity and ecological continuity restoration.

The organisation says:“VNF operates waterway embankments using natural materials and alternative techniques. It favours biodiversity support and ecological continuity restoration in an innovative and promising ecological engineering approach. VNF has been developing these innovative techniques for almost ten years and has acquired an expertise that enables it to adapt the techniques to hydromorphological conditions. Ecological monitoring is an efficient tool to confirm the environmental benefits of natural materials.”

Contact: Anthony Petitprez ([email protected])Website: www.vnf.fr

The Jury’s verdict: This project, which incorporates commendable methods for sustainable river basin management, encourages the development of green waterways. The Jury highlighted:• The implementation of sound ecosystem practices;• The development and promotion of green waterway infrastructure to

support biodiversity;• The exclusion and reduction of invasive alien species.

WIN

NER

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1. Environmental excellence: Preventing pollution and optimising resource efficiency in your operations while developing products or services with minimal life-cycle environmental impacts;

2. Social responsibility: Meeting the wider concerns of stakeholders such as employees, suppliers, customers and local communities about issues like working conditions, human rights and community involvement;

3. Strong financial performance: Profitability and competitiveness bringing benefits to shareholders and securing long-term growth and security of employment.

Showing you are the best

As a business, you have a key role to play in ensuring a sustainable future for the environment. The European Business Awards for the Environment allows us to celebrate what has already been done, showcasing companies that are pioneers in green innovation. Showing your business is ‘best’ in terms of sustainable development requires balanced progress towards three inter-connected objectives:

So get involved and show that your company is the best!

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25 years of rewarding green innovation: 1987 to 2012 1987Launch of the European Better Environment Awards for Industry on the occasion of the European Year of the Environment

1988First Better Environment Awards for Industry Ceremony: Brussels

1989Second Better Environment Awards for Industry Ceremony: London

1990Third Better Environment Awards for Industry Ceremony: Paris

1992Fourth Better Environment Awards for Industry Ceremony: Seville

1994Fifth Better Environment Awards for Industry Ceremony: Copenhagen

1996Sixth Better Environment Awards for Industry Ceremony: Dublin

1998Seventh Better Environment Awards for Industry Ceremony: Leeuwarden

2000 Renaming of the European Better Environment Awards for Industry: First European Awards for the Environment Ceremony: Brussels

2002 Second European Awards for the Environment Ceremony: Budapest

2004 Third European Business* Awards for the Environment Ceremony: Brussels as part of Green Week 2004. * The word ‘business’ was added to give well-deserved recognition to companies that have introduced and promoted sustainable development in their activities and practices.

2006 Fourth European Business Awards for the Environment Ceremony: Brussels

2008Fifth European Business Awards for the Environment Ceremony: Brussels

2010Sixth European Business Awards for the Environment Ceremony: Brussels

2012Seventh European Business Awards for the Environment Ceremony: Brussels

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Austria Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Division VI/5 Mr Armin Pecher Stubenbastei 5, A-1010 Vienna Tel.: +43 1 51 522 16 46 [email protected] www.lebensministerium.at/umwelt

Belgium Business and Society Belgium Ms Caroline Godts Stuiversstraat 8 rue des Sols1000 BrusselsTel.: +32 2 515 09 [email protected] www.businessandsociety.be

Bulgaria Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum Ms Gabriela Marinova42, Slavyanska Str. BG-1000 Sofia Tel.: +359 2 986 5202 [email protected]@bblf.bgwww.bblf.bg

CroatiaMinistry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction of the Republic of Croatia,Ms Marijana Mance Kowalsky / Ms Branka Pivčević NovakUlica Republike Austrije, 2010000 ZagrebTel.: +385 1 3782 154 / +385 1 3782 162/ +385 1 3782 [email protected]@mzopu.hrwww.mzopu.hr

Czech Republic Business Leaders ForumMs Radka LukášováŠtěpánská 61, Palac Lucerna116 02 Prague 1Tel.: +420 224 216 [email protected]; [email protected]; http://www.csr-online.cz

CyprusDepartment of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and EnvironmentMs Nasia Dikigoropoulou1498 Nicosia, CyprusTel.: +357 [email protected] www.cyprus.gov.cy/moa/agriculture.nsf

Denmark Ingeniørforeningen i Danmark, IDA Ms Charlotte FaberKalvebod Brygge 31-33, 1780 Kobenhavn V Tel.: +45 33 18 48 48 / +45 33 18 46 [email protected] www.ida.dk

Estonia Ministry of the EnvironmentMs Kadri TomingasNarva mnt 7a, 10117 Tallinn Tel.: +372 626 07 [email protected]

Finland The Association of Environmental EnterprisesMs Pia VileniusEteläranta 10, P.O.Box 4, 00131 HelsinkiTel.: +358 40 413 6340 [email protected] www.ymparistoyritykset.fi/english

France Ministère de l’Ecologie, de l’Energie, du Développement Durable et de l’Aménagement du Territoire (MEEDDAT)Mr Jean-Paul Ventère CGDD - IDAE 4 Tour Voltaire 92055 La Défense Cedex Tel.: +33 1 40 81 83 [email protected] www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

Germany Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.v Abteilung UmweltpolitikMr Franz-Josef von KempisBreite Strass 29DE-10178 BerlinTel.: +49 30 2028 [email protected]

Greece Hellenic Association of Environmental Protection EnterprisesMs Eleni Polychronopoulou 4 Marni street104 33 Athens Tel.: +30 21 303 838148 / +30 21 17156321 / +30 69 [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Hungary Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises (KSZGYSZ)Ms Ágnes Czibók Keleti Karoly u. 11/A, H-1024 Budapest Tel.: +36 1 350 7271 [email protected] www.kszgysz.hu

Ireland Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC)Mr Robert O’SheaConfederation House, 84/86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2Tel.:+353 1 605 [email protected] www.ibec.ie/0/environment

Italy ASSET-CameraAzienda Speciale della Camera di CommercioIndustria Artigianato Agricoltura di RomaMr Giuseppe TripaldiVia Capitan Bavastro 116 00154 RomaTel.: +39 0669 76901; Mob.: +39 335 6681 [email protected]

For more details, contact your national representative listed below:

Latvia Latvian Pollution Prevention Center (LPPC) Mr Janis Plavinskis Bruninieku iela 27-40LV-1001 RigaTel.: +371 720 4118; Mob.: +371 6454 [email protected]; [email protected] www.lppc.lv/videsbalva

Lithuania Lithuanian Confederation of IndustrialistsA. Vienuolio g. 8, LT-01104 VilniusTel. +370 5 212 [email protected]

Luxembourg Fedil – Business Federation LuxembourgMr Henri Wagener P.O Box 1304, 1013 Luxembourg Tel.: +352 43 53 661 ‘[email protected] www.fedil.lu

Malta Cleaner Technology Centre - University CampusMr Anton Pizzuto Old University BuildingSt Paul’s Street,Valletta Tel: +356 [email protected]; [email protected]

The Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the EnvironmentDirectorate-General for Environmental ProtectionMr Dirk SchaapP.O. Box 20951, 2500 EZ The HagueTel.: +31 70 456 [email protected] www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ienm

Poland Fundacja Partnerstwo dla Środowiska Polish Environmental Partnership Foundation Ms Joanna Węgrzycka ul. św. Krzyża 5/6, 31-028 Kraków Tel.: +48 12 422 50 88/+48 430 24 [email protected] www.epce.org.pl

PortugalPortuguese Environment AgencyMs Isabel LicoRua da Murgueira, 9/9AZambujal – Ap. 75852611-865 AmadoraTel.: +351 21 472 14 [email protected];www.apambiente.pt; http://www.grupogci.net

Romania Romanian Environmental Partnership Foundation Mr Laszlo Potozky Fundatia pentru Partenariat5301120Miercurea, Ciuc,Str. Arsenalului nr.13Tel.: +40 266 31 06 78 [email protected]/

SlovakiaASPEK – Association of Industrial Ecology in Slovakia Ms Ivana Mihočková BiznárováMlynské nivy 48, SK-821 09 Bratislava Tel.: +421 2 5341 1420 [email protected] www.aspek.sk

Slovenia Časnik FinanceMr Peter NovakPod kostanji 8, Sl-1000 LjubljanaTel: +386 1 429 20 30 [email protected] www.finance.si

Spain Fundación Entorno - BCSD EspañaMs Soledad Zulerta / Ms Cristina Garcia-Orcoyen C/ Monte Esquinza 30, Piso 6°, dcha. SP-28010 MadridTel.: +34 91 575 63 94 [email protected]@fundacionentorno.orgwww.fundacionentorno.org

Sweden Nutek, Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional GrowthMr Axel NekhamBox 4044 SE-102 61, StockholmTel.: +46 8 681 9375; Mob.: +46 70 62 63 765+46 8 19 68 [email protected] www.tillvaxtverket.se

Turkey The Regional Environmental Center – Country Office Turkeyİstanbul Project OfficeMr Kerem Okumuş / Ms Asli Kurtulus5. Gazeteciler Sitesi VillalarıAçelya Sokak (Nilüfer Sk. Girişi)A20/1 Blok, No: 3, Akatlar / İSTANBULTel.: +90 212 324 50 25 [email protected] / [email protected]; www.abcevreodulleri.info

UK IMS ConsultingMr Graham SpriggSt Nicholas House,31-34 High StreetBristol BS1 2AWTel.:+44 117 917 5310; Mob.: +44 7785 [email protected]

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USEFUL LINKS:

European Commission http://ec.europa.eu

European Commission – Environment DG http://ec.europa.eu/environment/index_en.htm

European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE)www.ebae.eu

Your Europe, your business opportunityhttp://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/business

Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/index_en.htm

EU Ecolabelhttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/

Eco-innovation Action Plan (EcoAP)http://ec.europa.eu/environment/etap/

LIFEhttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/

Environmental Compliance Assistance Programme (ECAP)http://ec.europa.eu/environment/sme/index_en.htm

European Environment Agency www.eea.europa.eu

Enterprise Europe Network www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu

Europe 2020 Strategyhttp://ec.europa.eu/eu2020/index_en.htm

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)www.unep.org

More useful links may be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/awards/useful_links.html

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