12 pioneers in green innovation

E U R O P E A NBUSINESSAWARDS FOR THEENVIRONMENT

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European Commission

CONTENTSOverview

Introduction by Margot Wallström – A win-win partnership for the environment 2

Why does Europe need Business Awards for the Environment? 3

Sustainable companies lead the field 6

New Member States rival the best in green innovation 8

Best in Europe

Management Award

Winner: DENSO: Driving environmental management in the auto industry 9

J. Schmalz: A green philosophy going back over decades 11

Gorenje: Making white goods green 12

Morrison Bowmore: Distilling years of management wisdom13

Product Award

Winner: Matussière & Forest: Turning over a green leaf 14

ELPA: On the right track to a healthier environment15

Process Award

Winner: Rugby: Pollution control inbuilt in cement manufacture 16

Cognis Ireland: Cleaning up with recycling technology 18

Cotinfi: Answer to a sticky problem19

International Cooperation Award

Winner: Nedap: Making safe water an affordable prospect for millions 20

Aquadev: The free flow on international cooperation 22

SolarFrost: A cool solution for small communities 23

Information

The 2004 Business Awards for the Environment jury 24

Interview: Jury President Professor Yvonne Scannell 26

National schemes: the gateway to Europe-wide acclaim 27

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European UnionEuropean commissionDG EnvironmentErika Jangen9 avenue de BeaulieuB-1160 BruxellesTel: +32 2 296 7756Fax: +32 2 296 9569E-mail: erika.jangen@cec.eu.int

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Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the EuropeanCommunities, 2004

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Companies that act now to meet high environmentalstandards will be tomorrow’s winners. Those that wait arerisking their future business success.

This sobering verdict should give European business food forthought. It is widely and increasingly acknowledged thatcorporate responsibility, with its three-pronged agenda ofenvironmental, social and economic performance, is no longer aluxury but a growing necessity. In 2004, 100 companies – selectedas the best in their own countries – competed for the EuropeanBusiness Awards for the Environment.

In today’s business world, image and consumer perception arecrucial factors in achieving commercial success. Pressure oncompanies to adopt an ethical approach has mounted steadily inrecent years. Financial institutions and fund managers, lookingfor more advantageous premiums, were among the first toselect clean, safe companies to invest in, realising that publicreaction to an oil spill, pollution accident or the plundering ofnatural resources is just as high a risk factor as poor financialmanagement. Shareholders have also been flexing theirmuscles, getting together to demand a more accountable andresponsible style of management. And finally, consumers them-

OVERVIEW

> Why does Europe need Business Awards?

A prize worth striving for

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selves now make their environmental demands heard on every-thing from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to the sitingof mobile phone masts.

Sustainably managed companies are less wasteful, moreinnovative, and attract skilled staff more easily. No wonder theyare a good investment. There is also mounting evidence thatcorporate responsibility and competitiveness go together, withhigher levels of GDP per head in countries where sustainablebusiness is strongest.

“Investments in sustainable development are as beneficial to thecompanies themselves as to society as a whole,” emphasisesaward jury President, Professor Yvonne Scannell.

Reflecting public concernsThe European Business Awards for the Environment were firstlaunched in 1987 as a way of recognising the achievements ofcompanies who pioneer environmentally friendly policies andproducts, and encouraging others to follow their example.

Research shows that Europeans are increasingly concernedabout their environment. According to a recent survey, morethan 65% regard climate change and pollution as a threat. Theseproblems can only be tackled effectively in partnership, throughthe joint efforts of policy-makers, business, stakeholders andindividuals.

The European Union’s Sixth Environment Action Programme(2001-10), which set the ten-year framework for EU policy in thisarea, proposed steps to encourage the market to work for theenvironment. While making it clear that industries that causepollution or waste resources should be penalised, it also empha-sised the need to reward companies that take the initiative indeveloping sustainable technologies or management systems.>

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In the pages of this brochure you will read some inspiring sto-ries about companies – large and small – that have dared to bedifferent, to conceive new solutions that preserve the environ-ment while enhancing business performance.

These 12 companies, nominated for the European BusinessAwards for Environment, are the pioneers in green innovation intheir own field, and I am delighted to congratulate them all, andespecially the winners, on their achievements.

In the European Commission we recognise the crucialimportance of working with industry to build sustainable devel-opment. We welcome voluntary action, which can be the bestway to achieve results in specific areas. But on the other hand,regulation is sometimes necessary to transform good intentionsinto practical action on the ground and to level the playing fieldamong competitors.

This brochure sets out concrete examples of how green awarenesscan boost competitiveness. Close monitoring of your company’senvironmental impact is the first step towards identifying areas for

improving performance, followed byregular fact-based reporting, and there isplenty of support in place to help. Forexample, the Global Reporting Initiative(GRI) established the ‘triple bottom line’ ofeconomic, social and environmental reporting, covering aspectssuch as the use of raw materials, energy and land, and wastedisposal. The EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), byhelping organisations to assess and manage their environmentalperformances in a systematic way, can also help. It has alreadybeen adopted by thousands of companies, and extended into thepublic sector.

The Commission regard flexibility and partnership as key toworking with industry. We seek win-win solutions that are goodfor business and good for the environment, because ultimatelythese interests are not in conflict, and we have every incentive towork together to create solid, sustainable growth for the future,both at home and abroad.

> IntroductionA win-win partnership for the environment

OVERVIEW

Commissioner for the Environment

The European Business Awards for the Environment are justone aspect of a raft of EU polices designed to help industry cleanup its environmental act:

The ten-year-old Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)is a voluntary environmental management system under whichorganisations evaluate, manage and continuously improve theirenvironmental performance. Among Europe’s top 100 stockmarket companies, 28 implement EMAS at one or more sites,and the European Commission is setting an example by imple-menting the scheme in its own premises and daily activities.(www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas/index_en.htm)

The European Eco-Label is awarded to products and serviceswith the highest environmental standards. It covers a growinglist of product groups such as textiles, detergents, paints ortissue paper, including, since 2003, tourist accommodation. TheEU Eco-label contributes to sustainable development through its‘cradle to grave’ approach. (www.europa.eu.int/ecolabel)

The European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER) is anonline database enabling the public to check on emissions from10,000 plants and factories across the EU. (www.eper.cec.eu.int)

The Environmental Technology Action Plan (ETAP) will helpto spread the use of green technologies across Europe.(www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/etap/)

There are four different awards: The Management Award for Sustainable Development goes toan exceptional organisation with strategic vision and a manage-ment system that allows for steady improvement in its contributionto sustainable development. It has to show that the three funda-mental strands of sustainability – environmental, economic andsocial – are all integrated into its overall mission and all its policies.

The organisation must have clear objectives for reducing theenvironmental impact of its activities, together with targets andindicators for monitoring and reporting performance. It mustalso be active in the wider aspects of corporate social responsi-bility, such as supporting the community, offering good workingconditions and full employment rights to its staff, and takingsteps to ensure that suppliers also adhere to the higheststandards.

Stakeholder accountability must also be a key consideration,with evidence of regular and systematic dialogue. In all, thewinner must demonstrate that it leads the field and is setting anexample that others can follow.

The Product Award for Sustainable Development goes to anew product or service that makes an outstanding contributionto care for the environment. It should meet the needs ofconsumers and improve the quality of life, while minimising theexploitation of natural resources or use of toxic materials suchas hazardous chemicals. The company must also show that it iscutting down emissions of waste and pollutants throughout thelife-cycle of the product, from the extraction of raw materialsand manufacture right through to use and disposal.

The product or service should make a contribution to socialprogress, and should be at the cutting edge of innovation, settinga groundbreaking example that others will want to follow.

The third category is the Process Award for SustainableDevelopment. This goes to a new way of making things withoutharming the environment. The technology involved has to bebeneficial for the environment, and should not have a negativeeconomic or social impact. It might, for example, save resourcesby reducing the amount of energy or materials used. Or it mightinvolve a switch from non-renewable to renewable resources,or the reduction of waste and emissions.

Companies are expected to show that their process is asignificant advance on current state-of-the-art technology.

Finally, the International Cooperation Award for SustainableDevelopment recognises the responsibility of organisations inEurope to share their knowledge and technologies withdeveloping countries, to help them achieve sustainable growth.It goes to an international partnership involving at least two organ-isations from different sectors (private, public, non-governmentalorganisation or academic) – one in the EU and the others in adeveloping or less-advanced country. The partnership must bebased on equality, transparency and mutual benefit, and mustmake a substantial contribution to all three strands of sustainabledevelopment: environmental, social and economic.

The partnership must be well enough planned and resourced toreach its objectives. These could be, for example, to transferskills or technology, to improve products or services, to aid com-munity development or to enhance working conditions. Theproject must serve to demonstrate the key role of cross-sectorinternational partnerships in achieving global sustainabledevelopment.

In 2004, the jury was also looking for entrants that addressedkey environmental challenges such as greenhouse gases andclimate change; air quality; health and environment; solid waste;and damage to soils.

Companies cannot enter for the European awards directly. Theyfirst have to participate in their national award schemes, andonly those selected as winners in their own country can then goforward to the European level (see page 26 for national schemesand contacts). This means that the companies presented in thisbrochure are the best of the best – the most far-sighted,responsible and innovative across the EU.

With 17 countries taking part in 2004, the challenge for the nextround of awards in 2006 will be to reach all 25 EU MemberStates, as well as the candidate countries Romania, Bulgariaand Turkey.

OVERVIEW OVERVIEW

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The European Business Award for the Environment

OVERVIEW

> Sustainable companies lead the fieldTaking a deliberate decision to go green

Running a business in the European Union is an everyday activ-ity. In the Europe-wide economy, the principle of creating betterjobs by focusing on innovation and turning out high-qualityproducts has been accepted as just as normal as breathing air.Yet still, relatively few companies’ chief executive officers areaware of the impact their businesses make on the environment.

Today, in the 21st century, the fact remains that the integration ofgreen values into business practices is still largely underdevel-oped. Despite the steps taken by both national and supranationalauthorities, evidence from lobby groups and growing pressurefrom consumers, a lot of CEOs are not convinced that adoptingenvironmental protection as a key facet of their companyphilosophy can lead to competitive advantages. The reason forthis is twofold. On the one hand, the green perspective is stillsurrounded by some stubborn prejudices. On the other, CEOs areunwilling to take the risk of changing their practices until they cansee the proven advantages of the environmental approach. Thefact is, those advantages exist, and can be demonstrated in fourclear ways.

There is nothing wrong with being a green company –studies reveal the great potentialFirst, one of the most stubborn prejudices working against thegreen perspective is that the integration of environmental valuesleads to higher costs and less profit. This old-fashioned way ofthinking views expenditure on sustainability as a drain oncompany resources and the commitment of funds to non-productive uses.

However, recent research counters this by demonstrating thatnegative arguments have achieved too much prominence in thepast, and benefits were often overlooked. A more modernperspective shows a different picture. Some academic studies,for instance, indicate that pollution prevention and the associated re-evaluation of a firm’s production processes creates an opportu-nity for the company to take a strategic approach to reorganising

production and to translate this innovation into competitiveadvantage . Other studies show that firms with better environ-mental records are more attractive investments due to the lowerperceived compliance costs and liabilities .

Many firms are beginning to view environmental strategies as away of increasing revenues through product innovation (forexample, redesigning products to be reused or recycled,reducing the use of toxic materials, or increasing the company’senergy efficiency), market redefinition, and the creation ofbarriers to entry by companies with lower environmentalmanagement capacities.

A sound green policy increases the ‘reputational capital’ ofthe companySecondly, adopting a green perspective improves the reputationof the company. The link between reputation or image andfinancial value is often underestimated. Reputation can have asignificant influence on the company and its customers.Research confirms that a company’s image affects mostaspects of its business. These days, a large proportion of abusiness’ worth comprises intangibles like reputation, brandname and recognition by the public. For instance, as much as96% of Coca-Cola’s value is made up of intangibles (a largeproportion of them relating to the company reputation).

A sound green policy strongly increases the ‘reputational capital’of the company. This form of capital value has a strong influenceon whether potential employees see it as a good place to work,whether investors are likely to put money into it, and the quality ofthe firm’s relationships with stakeholders including government,other actors in the same industry, suppliers and customers. MORIresearch confirms that a majority of people believe that acompany that supports society and the community is a good com-pany to work for, and with the growing competition for skilledlabour in Europe, that is a factor business cannot afford to ignore.

Changing demands on businessThe third argument for going green is that globally, and moreespecially in the EU, companies face changing demands.Consumers no longer accept that industry should focus only onshort-term profits, and increasingly they are demanding thatcompanies should also take green, social and ethical values intoaccount.

These changing demands also explain the success of sustainableinvestment funds in Europe. These funds employ screens thatmonitor for environmental and social performance, as well asfinancial return. Such funds have been gaining ground very rapidlysince the mid-1990s. In a recent study, Benijts put the total valueof this market at €348.2 billion – in other words this means that€348.2 billion is invested specifically in companies with soundgreen, social and ethical values. Not only individuals but alsopension funds put more and more emphasis, when taking invest-ment decisions, on whether big companies can demonstrate theexistence of an environmental policy. The large Dutch pension fundPGGM is just one example of an organisation that has adopted apolicy that takes into account the green, social and ethical values ofa stock listed company.

It is not only consumers and pension funds that are paying moreand more attention to the green values within a company. Thefinancial services sector is also looking increasingly closely atissues of corporate social responsibility. Awareness of the financialrisks associated with poor environmental performance is growingin all circles.

Moral argumentsFinally, there is also a moral and ethical argument in favour ofthe green perspective. By embracing good environmentalstandards and going for green innovation, a company adopts thehigh ground and shows that it is taking a constructive andresponsible attitude to its customers, to the planet, and to thefuture of humanity.

OVERVIEW

EUROPEAN AWARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 2002

E N V I R O N M E N T D I R E C T O R A T E - G E N E R A L E U R O P E A N C O M M I S S I O N

To:

Ms. Margot Wallström Ms. Cristina Garcia OrcoyenMember of the European Commission Member of the European ParliamentResponsible for Environment Chairman of the Jury

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Tim Benijts Lessius Hogeschool – Department of Business Studiese-mail: tim.benijts@lessius-ho.be

1 See Molloy, Erekson & Gorman (2002) “Exploring the relationship between environmental and financial performance”, Research paper Miami University.

2 See Konar & Cohen (2001) “Does the market value environmental performance?” In The review of economics and statistics, 83,2, p.281-289 and Palmer, Oates & Portney (1995) “Tightening environmental standards: the benefit-cost or the no-cost paradigm” In Journal of economic perspectives, 9,4, p.119-132.

3 See McGuire, Sundgren & Schneeweis (1988) “Corporate social responsibility and firm financial performance” In Academy of

management journal, 31,4, p. 854-872, and Waddock & Graves (1997) “The corporate social performance link” In Strategic management journal, 18,4, p. 303-319.

4 Department of trade and industry (2001) Business and society: developing corporate social responsibility in the UK.5 See Benijts (2004) “De Europese dimensie van de Belgische markt voor duurzame beleggingsfondsen” In De gids op maatschap

pelijk gebied, 95,1, p. 27-43, and Eurosif (2003) Socially responsible investment among European institutional investors, Paris, andSiri group (2003) Green, social and ethical funds in Europe 2003, Milano.

The European Business Award for the Environment diploma

OVERVIEW

> New Member States rival the best in green innovation

June 2004 saw the first European Business Awards for theEnvironment ceremony in an enlarged European Union of25 nations, following the accession of ten new Member Statesjust a month earlier, on 1 May 2004.

Among the 12 selected nominees for the awards were threecompanies from two of the EU’s new Member States: Hungaryand Slovenia. However, it was not the first time that companiesfrom these countries had taken part. Already in 2002, the com-petition was opened up to the then candidate countries, andfirms from Malta and Slovenia secured two of the top prizes.

Hungarian automotive supplier DENSO Manufacturing Ltd, theoutright winner of the 2004 Management Award, impressed thejudges with its “new and exciting solutions and techniques formanaging environmental performance”. Its success shows thatbusinesses in the new Member States can rival the best when itcomes to putting sustainable development into practice.

Industry in these countries faces big challenges in meeting theenvironmental standards now required under the EU acquis. Asthe organiser of one of their national award schemes points out,they are newer to the concept of measuring environmentalperformance, but what they lack in experience many make upfor in enthusiasm.

For companies – especially SMEs – in the new Member States,securing a prestigious EU award can bring unprecedentedinternational recognition as well as boosting export orders. Sixof the new Member States organised national competitionsagain in 2004. The task now is to support the remainingcountries in raising the profile of environmentally friendlybusiness at a national level and enabling their firms to enjoy thebenefits of exchange of knowledge and experience that goesalong with participation in the award scheme.

Over the last ten years, and particularly as a result of prepar-ation for EU membership, industry in the countries of Centraland Eastern Europe has radically improved its environmentalperformance, and remaining gaps are likely to close rapidly.

Looking beyond the frontiers of the enlarged EU, the contributionindustry can make to sustainable development in less well-offcountries is explicitly recognised by the European BusinessAwards. At the United Nations World Summit on SustainableDevelopment in Johannesburg in 2002, the global community setnew goals for – amongst other things – eradicating poverty andcutting the number of people without access to water and sanita-tion. Working in partnership with people in developing countries,the nominees recognised in the International Cooperation Awardsection are making a significant contribution towards achievingthese aims.

“The number of companies competing for our environmentawards shows that getting recognition for sustainability isimportant as a sales factor. These companies are already win-ners – they belong to the growing number of businesses whohave recognised that incorporating environmental concerns intobusiness practice is the way forward and will bring themtangible benefits.”

Margot Wallström, Commissioner for the Environment

BEST INEUROPE

WINNER: Management Award

> DENSO Manufacturing Hungary LtdDriving green management in the auto industry

DENSO Manufacturing Hungary (DMHU) is proving that awholehearted commitment to sustainable developmentcan deliver impressive environmental and economicbenefits.

DMHU, part of the giant Japanese DENSO Corporation, theworld’s third biggest automotive components supplier, hasbecome a pioneer in environmental management. It is a leaderwithin the DENSO Group, in the international automotiveindustry and in Hungarian manufacturing. It has introduceddozens of state-of-the-art sustainability initiatives in productdevelopment and production, in operating practices andmanagement systems and in its dealings with stakeholders andthe local community.

All DENSO’s subsidiaries are expected to meet a number ofenvironmental standards, but DMHU, which makes diesel

injection systems and system control components, decided to gofurther, setting itself even more stringent goals. In 2000, itdeveloped its EcoVision environmental programme with toughgreen targets across all its activities. All were met before dead-line, including a 35% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, a40% reduction in water consumption and a reduction in packag-ing materials of 30%.

In March 2003, DMHU became DENSO’s first overseas manufac-turing subsidiary to reduce the amount of its waste sent tolandfill to zero. It used to generate 1,000 tonnes of wastematerial a year, half of which was disposed of in landfill.Everything is now reused or incinerated to create thermal energy.

Recycling initiatives include treating oil used in machining withbacteria to create soil for farming, distilling 94% of all solventsused for reuse and composting waste from the company’s >

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Tucked in the heart of Germany’s beautiful Black Forest,the medium-sized, family-owned firm J. Schmalz is a realsuccess story for eco-friendly businesses. By putting envi-ronmental awareness at the heart of its operating strategy,it has achieved self-sufficiency in energy supply usingrenewable resources, and maintained its competitive edgein global markets.

Glatten, a small town in the Schwarzwald, may seem an unlikelyhome for one of the world’s leading companies in the field ofvacuum technology. But J. Schmalz GmbH is an example of howfirms can be internationally competitive while maintainingrespect for the environment.

The company started in 1910 as the Johannes SchmalzRasierklingenfabrik making razor blades. Two generations laterit employs 260 people at its base in Germany, with a further 40in other countries including the USA, India, Japan and China, aswell as other parts of Europe.

Schmalz is a market leader in vacuum technology and itsbusiness is organised into three areas: vacuum components,vacuum-handling technology and vacuum clamping systems. Itsproducts are used across an enormous range of industriesincluding metal, chemicals, wood, packaging and food, and itcounts some of the world’s largest companies among its clients:DaimlerChrysler, ABB, Kodak, Samsung, IBM and many others. Itputs enormous emphasis on quality and innovation. Over 60% ofitems in the current product range are less than three years old.

But the reason why Schmalz has been picked for the EuropeanEnvironment Awards is because of its outstanding commitmentto environmental responsibility. It has implemented a compre-hensive corporate environmental protection policy as an integralpart of its management strategy, and appointed a Quality andEnvironmental Officer to be in charge of ensuring the best use ofresources and respect for the environment. Two wind power

stations and a wood chip furnace (which is CO2 neutral) supplyits energy, and water is heated by solar power. In 2000, the firmeven generated an energy surplus of more than 800,000 kWh.

Patrick Ulmer, the Quality and Environmental Officer, explainsthat respect for the environment has long been a tradition in thefirm’s thinking. He points out that the original razor bladefactory drew power from a water mill, before the firm startedusing solar and other reusable energy sources.

Schmalz has drawn up an Environmental Declaration, whichstates the firm’s philosophy of commitment to environmentalprotection. In 2000, the German Land of Baden-Württembergrecognised its achievements in this field by awarding it theCompany Environmental Protection Prize. The firm’s environ-mental management system has been validated by the EU’seco-audit regulations (EMAS) and certified in accordance withDIN ISO 14001 in 1997.

The firm also offers an ecological guided tour for schools, associ-ations, companies and other interested parties, involving a pres-entation of regenerative energy and the measures it has imple-mented to protect the environment, followed by a guided tour ofits headquarters and production facility (see www.schmalz.de).

Management Award

> J. Schmalz GmbHA green philosophy going back over decades

Company: J. Schmalz GmbH, Aacher Str. 29, D-72293 Glatten, Contact: Patrick Ulmer,Tel: + 49 7443 2403 266E-mail: schmalz@schmalz.deWebsite: www.schmalz.de

Project: Comprehensive corporate environmental protection

Country: Germany

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cafeteria for fertiliser. Waste handling costs have been reducedfrom €147,000 in 2000 to €31,000 in 2002.

Improving the working environment for employees was anotherimportant strand of the management effort. When it implementedthe OHAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety ManagementSystem in 2001, DMHU was only the second company in the auto-motive industry to do so. The firm carried out a risk analysis of allparts of its factory and developed programmes to reduce dangerswhere risks were identified. Forklift truck operation, for example,was an area where improvements in operating practice wereintroduced. In a year, DMHU achieved an overall reduction in itsaccident rate of 20%.

To share good practice and promote innovation in the industry,DMHU has set up the Hungarian Automotive Supplier Forum,which brings together both competitors and suppliers. It is alsoactive in its local community, operating an environmentalawareness programme in primary schools and universities.

DMHU has achieved the ISO14001 certification for environmentalmanagement and in 2003 became the first DENSO plant in theworld to implement a fully integrated management system inconformance with the ISO/TS 16949 QMS standard.

DENSO Hungary impressed the jury with its creative genius forfinding new and exciting solutions for managing environmentalperformance. The pursuit of high green standards has had aclear positive environmental impact, but it has also benefited thecompany economically. In 2003, DMHU spent €50,980 onenvironmental investment and operational costs but saved€139,214 by its green approach.

In 2003, DMHU spent €50,980 on environmental investment andoperational costs but saved €139,214 by its green approach.

DMHU is proud of its environmental achievements, which havewon praise from its parent company. Recognition now from theEU is considered a great reward for the workforce and an impor-tant spur for the automotive industry to continue to improve itsenvironmental performance.

Company: DENSO Manufacturing Hungary LtdHolland fasor 14, H-8000 Székesfehérvár,Contact: Antal Vizy, Tel: + 36 22 552 000/4010E-mail: a.vizy@denso.huWebsite: www.denso-europe.com

Project: A pioneer of sustainable development in the automotive sector

Country: Hungary

Management Award

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Denso ©

Denso ©

J. Schmalz ©

The Gorenje Group is making its mark in the competitivehousehold appliance market by making environmentalprotection a key strategic objective.

Gorenje is one of Slovenia’s largest industrial enterprises, andin 2001 it won an award as the country’s most environmentallyfriendly. Since 1998, the goal of improving the quality of life andwork has been central to its strategic plan, ensuring thatenvironmental issues are integrated into its planning anddecision-making.

The environment focus has become part of Gorenje’s corporateimage and enabled it to meet legislative requirements andcustomer demands, while at the same time gaining a competi-tive advantage. Gorenje is developing new procedures andcleaner technologies to reduce the environmental impact of themanufacturing process and improve the environmentalperformance of the products it manufactures.

The company has made reducing waste, lowering fuelconsumption and decreasing emissions priority areas forattention. Measures include introducing powder paints that,unlike conventional paints, do not contain solvents, modernisinga central wastewater treatment plant, and installing regenerationfacilities for degreasing baths and nickel and chrome recycling.

Sustainable development principles influence the whole productcycle from design and manufacture to operation and disposal. Tominimise the impact of cooling and refrigeration appliances onthe environment the company is focusing its effort on developinggaskets without using PVC, optimising energy consumption, anddesigning products to be easily broken up and recycled at the endof their lives. In its cookers and ovens the company uses insula-tion without formaldehyde, and thermoplasts with no metalparts, for easy recycling. Its latest range of washing machineshas the lowest-ever water and energy consumption levels.

Management Award

> Gorenje d.d.Making white goods green

Company Gorenje d.d.Partizanska 12, SLO-3503 Velenje,Contact: Vilma Fece, Tel: + 386 3 899 1623E-mail: vilma.fece@gorenje.si Website: www.gorenje.com

Project: Building partnerships for sustainable development

Country: Slovenia

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Morrison Bowmore Distillery was established in 1779. Asthe Scottish island of Islay’s oldest inhabitant, it takes itsenvironmental responsibilities seriously, and this hasborne fruit for the environment, the local community andthe business.

Whisky is a way of life on the small island of Islay off the western coast of Scotland, and Morrison Bowmore is theisland’s oldest whisky maker. With the wisdom that comes withage, the Scottish firm has been committed for the past decade tomaking its management practices more sustainable.

Says Andrew Rankin, Bowmore’s director of production: “We’rekeen to do everything we can to ensure our ongoing sustainabilityso that the environment we have been lucky enough to be a part ofis protected for a further 225 years at least.”

Bowmore’s “commitment to the environment, the culture andthe economic well-being of the local community” made it astrong candidate in the management category of the EuropeanBusiness Awards, said the jury.

One string in Bowmore’s sustainability bow has been making itsproduction processes more efficient and environmentally friendlythrough an integrated management process platform that runsfrom grain to bottle.

The Scottish distillery has introduced higher yield barley thatproduces nearly 3% more spirit. In addition, spent grain goes tofeed livestock – another mainstay of the local economy. This isnot only good for local farmers but saves Bowmore over€80,000 in landfill charges.

Islay whisky would not be the same without Islay peat, whichgives the local Scotch its distinctive taste. Bowmore has intro-duced a technique (known as ‘caffing’) to ensure the long-termviability of the supply by reducing the need for peat significantly.

Management Award

> Morrison Bowmore DistillersDistilling years of management wisdom

Organisation: Morrison Bowmore DistillersSpringburn Bond, Carlisle Street, Glasgow G12 1EGScotland, UK, Contact: Iseabail MactaggartTel: + 44 141 558 9011 E-mail: Iseabail.Mactaggart@morrisonbowmore.co.ukWebsite: http://www.morrisonbowmore.co.uk/

Project: Ecological production methods and community responsibility

Country: Scotland

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Gorenje’s management system complies with the ISO 14001Certificate for Environmental Management. The company’smanagement board has worked hard to build partnerships andbalance the expectations of customers, employees, suppliersand local communities with the need to reduce negativeenvironmental impacts. Its dynamic human resources policiesand responsive management approach have had a positiveimpact on the quality of life of employees and the localcommunity. It has won recognition from the Slovene Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the best working environment ina large enterprise in Slovenia a number of times.

Gorenje places strong emphasis on training to ensure its work-force has the necessary skills to update production processes,implement new technologies and develop new products.

The company considers the nomination for the European Awardto be an important honour and reward for its work in environ-mental protection. It also views it as a spur to continue its effortsfurther.

And a new boiler has boosted fuel efficiency, slashing yearly fuelconsumption by 100,000 litres.

The distillery also runs a heat-recovery system that recycleswaste heat to other parts of the complex, knocking more than€100,000 off its annual bills. But it also tries to extend itswarmth to the community. Bowmore heats the communityswimming pool – which is housed in a warehouse it donated –and nearby offices use the excess heat from its own system.

Bowmore’s commitment to local life does not end there. “Thedistillery is proud to be a part of the island community and con-tribute positively to island life,” adds Rankin. “As a distillery witha very long history, this policy also allows us to ensure the long-term future of the distillery in this very scenic part of Scotland.”Bowmore’s good neighbour policy means that it is currentlyrenovating two buildings on the main village square, which it‘sold’ to the community for the token amount of £1. It has alsopurchased a lung function machine for the local hospital.

Rather than sitting back and toasting previous successes, theScottish whisky maker is pushing full steam ahead withambitious new plans. To cut energy use further, Bowmore islooking into the feasibility of introducing wind turbines.

Morrison ©

A highly innovative company based in Slovenia, with a strongtrack record in environmental awareness, has come up with aningenious way of almost eliminating the noise caused byfreight train brakes – a major source of noise pollution forrailway workers and local communities living near shuntingyards.

The noise of freight trains braking in shunting or marshallingyards can reach 150 dB: as loud as a gun being fired and louderthan a jet engine. This affects railway workers particularlyacutely and is a major source of noise pollution, especially whenfreight yards are located in populated or urban areas.

Now, however, ELPA d.o.o. has found a clever solution. Theenvironmentally minded company based in Velenje – halfwaybetween the Slovenian capital Ljubljana and Maribor – has usedits expertise in the field of lubrication technologies to developthe BREMEX ANNSYS anti-noise system. This device works byinjecting a special separating medium at precisely determinedplaces on the brake rails and wheel rims. The lubricant createsa special film that dampens the noise at source.

The system has economic advantages too, as it substantiallyprolongs the lifespan of the rails by reducing vibration andshocks and preventing erosion. At the same time, the requiredbraking effect is maintained. The process has the effect oflubricating the entire system of tracks at a shunting station,thereby reducing noise and prolonging the life of tracks.

“We heard this was a problem in Slovenia, with no effectivesolution,” says Darja Goltnik of EPLA, explaining how thecompany came to develop the product. She points out that thefirm has always been environmentally aware, highlighting thefact that the anti-noise separation agent used in this system is aspecial biodegradable substance. “We have been working onecological issues and we know noise is a problem, so we aretrying to do something about it.”

Product Award

> ELPAOn the right track to a healthier environment

Company: ELPA d.o.o.Paka 39/d, SLO-3320 VelenjeContact: Darja Goltnik, Manager Business FieldMarketing, Tel: + 386 3 898 6330E-mail: elpa@siol.netWebsite: www.elpa.si/eng/news-09-2002.htm

Project: Rail brake anti-noise systemBREMEX - ANNSYS

Country: Slovenia

15

The system was tested in Slovenia in collaboration with railroadoperator Slovenske z ¬eleznice (Slovenian Railways) at the Zalog– Drc ¬a shunting station from 20-25 June 2000, and theLjubljana-based Institute of Occupation Safety recordedmeasurements showing a noise reduction of approx. 99.9%.(A recording of the test can be heard at the company’s websitewww.elpa.si/eng/news-09-2002.htm). The system can be usedin any country with railroad freight traffic equipped with similarrail brakes.

ELPA has already supplied Slovenian Railways with two anti-noisesystems and expects orders from the French railway company,SNCF, which is negotiating about equipment to test on its own railbrakes. ELPA hopes this may bring orders for up to 60 units.

The Slovenian company, founded in 1992, is concentrating onproduct development. Another environmentally oriented patentedproduct is the rail curve lubricator CL-E1, which efficientlyreduces noise and wear and tear on railway, tramway and metrorails. ELPA specialises in lubrication technologies across a widerange of industries.

We may not be out of the woods yet when it comes tosustainability, but one French firm has turned over a newleaf in paper recycling. With a century and a half ofpapermaking under its belt, Matussière et Forest hascreated the first-ever fully recycled coated paper.

Dreams of the paperless office that modern computer and com-munications technologies were supposed to herald have more orless evaporated under a growing mountain of documents. Ratherthan shrinking, our appetite for paper has actually grown.

Recycling has been one effective way of minimising the environ-mental impact. However, the trouble with recycled paper is thequality. Whereas it has been possible for many years to producenewsprint and other lower quality products through 100%recycling, top-of-the-range paper always required a portion ofnew material.

Then Matussière et Forest, which has been producing recycledpaper for over three decades, made a major breakthrough andcreated the world’s first 100%-recycled top-quality coated paperin 2002. The French papermaker’s V Green paper has won it the2004 European Product Award.

WINNER: Product Award

> Matussière & ForestTurning over a green leaf

Company: Papeteries Matussière et ForestRue de Paradis, F-75010 ParisContact: Christine Guillemin, Tel: + 33 1 4801 4668E-mail: CGuillemin@matussiere-forest.frWebsite: http://www.matussiere-forest.fr/

Project: 100% recycled coated paper V Green

Country: France

14

“Our nomination underscores the huge advance represented bythe creation of V Green, in terms of technology and of quality,” saysChristine Guillemin, spokeswoman for the French papermaker. “Itreinforces the Group’s corporate image of being heavily committedto environmental issues.”

The environment award will vindicate those customers who havealready switched to V Green, and will help enhance awareness inthe marketplace of the new product’s ecological benefits.

This breakthrough was no accident. “The entire workforce wascommitted to the product’s development process and launch,”Guillemin points out. “Recycling has been a strategic option forus since the end of the 1960s, and is now enshrined in thegroup’s environmental and sustainable development approach.”

With the aim of making “waste a resource”, the French paper-maker practises industrial ecology, which “follows the exampleof natural ecosystems, where waste from one species providesresources for another”.

Matussière et Forest has been working hard to put to rest cer-tain misconceptions about the paper industry by demonstratingthat recycled paper does not use up more energy in its produc-tion than ordinary paper, and it is not of poorer quality.

The company has big plans for the future. “We shall continueimplementing our sustainable development policy as well asraising awareness within the group,” promises Guillemin. “Wewill set even higher targets for each production site as regardsink or gas effluent. And we will consolidate our approach withthe launch of more new recycled paper products.”

ELPA ©

A new approach to cement production has enabled RugbyLtd of the UK to reduce its sulphur dioxide emissionsdrastically and improve the quality of its product.

Faced with the challenge of how best to meet increasinglydemanding environmental requirements at a number of ageingcement plants, Rugby – part of the RMC Group – opted for a boldapproach. Instead of modifying seven existing installations, itdecided it would be more cost effective to replace them all with onenew cement plant specifically designed to high environmentalstandards.

Embarking on the £200 million capital investment, Rugby cameup with a radical new design for a cement kiln that integratespollution control into the manufacturing process from the outset.The resulting plant, which began cement production in 2000, hasan in-built flue gas de-sulphurisation system that emits some95% less sulphur dioxide output than a more traditional kilnusing the same raw materials.

Rugby’s Environment Director Dr David Evans says the companywas thrilled to be nominated for a European Award for the

WINNER: Process Award

> Rugby LtdPollution control inbuilt in cement manufacture

16

Working with the contractors who would build the plant, Rugbycame up with a unique design that introduces the two primaryraw materials – clay and chalk – into the production process intwo streams at different points. The chalk absorbs the sulphurdioxide from the clay in-process, thus almost eliminatingemissions. Unlike the conventional methods, the Rugby FGDsystem generates no waste and does not require the use ofadditional natural resources.

Rugby is convinced that its brave decision has been vindicated inboth environmental and economic terms. The new kiln produces4,200 tonnes of cement a day but generates less than 100mg ofsulphur dioxide per cubic metre of exhaust gas.

In such a huge capital project, there was an element of risk inembracing an untried process but Rugby is convinced that itsbrave decision has been vindicated in both environmental andeconomic terms. The new kiln produces 4,200 tonnes of cementa day but generates less than 100mg of sulphur dioxide percubic metre of exhaust gas, compared to the previous kiln at thissite which produced around 2,000mg per cubic metre. It alsoproduces no waste and, as a consequence of retaining thesulphur within the process, contributes to a high-qualityproduct.

Rugby says other cement producers have shown interest, and ithopes its new design will influence others as and when theycome to renew their plants.

WINNER: Process Award

Company: Rugby Ltd, RMC Group Plc, RMC House,Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Egham,UK-Surrey TW20 8TD, Contact: Vicky LeonardTel: + 44 1932 583 217E-mail: Vicky.Leonard@rmc-group.comWebsite: www.rmc.co.uk

Project: A novel technique for reducing sulphur dioxide emissions in the cement-making process

Country: UK

17

Environment following on from its achievement in winning theUK’s Green Apple Environment Award.

“Cement production is a polluting process and although greatstrides have been made to improve its environmental impact, itdoes involve burning fuels and raw materials and generatingemissions. This new technology is a major environmentalbreakthrough and we are delighted to be associated with thisgood environmental news story,” says Dr Evans. “The nationaland European recognition justify the confidence we had in thedesign and the risks we took in developing the plant.”

Cement clinker is manufactured by combining chalk and clay atvery high temperatures in a rotary kiln. The process generatessulphur dioxide, and reducing these emissions has been achallenge for all cement producers. The amount of sulphur diox-ide produced is related to the sulphur content of the clay used, andRugby had historically had high sulphur dioxide emissionsbecause its clay was sulphur-rich. The conventional solution wasto use an expensive ‘end of pipe’ system to treat the exhaustgases.

Plant manager Bob Milliard (left) and Environment Director Dr David Evans pick up their Green Apple Award at the Housesof Parliament in London.

Rugby Ltd ©

Conventional carpet manufacturing is dependent, tovarying degrees, on glue. Cotinfi, an innovative Belgianfirm, has come up with an integrated process to createglue-free rugs. Not only is this good news for the environ-ment, it also offers consumers cheaper and better qualityproducts, and saves money for manufacturers.

It is well known that problems can be swept under carpets, butone European company was not prepared to ignore the environ-mental damage caused by the glue traditionally used in carpetmanufacture. Adhesives are required in the production of allforms of carpets – bonded, tufted and woven. Now Belgiancarpet machine maker Cotinfi has developed an innovativeprocessing technique.

Like the earlier fusion bonding technique, Cotinfi’s new ultra-sonic bonding process bonds tufts of pile material – the softthread on the surface – to the carpet’s backing. However, fusionbonding uses a PVC-based glue to hold them together, whereasthe new process uses ultrasonic welding technology to createmicro-welds in the carpet. The European Business Awardsjudges called this creative solution to an old problem “a hugestep forward to eliminating the environmental impact of glues”,prompting them to select Cotinfi as one of the best for theProcess Award.

Cotinfi is proud of its new process and pleased with the credit ithas received by reaching the final 12 in the EU’s environmentawards scheme. “It means a useful recognition of the manyyears of research and development work done within theorganisation,” explains Paul Billiet, managing director of thisfamily-owned firm.

Being an SME comprises both a challenge and opportunity forthe company. With a staff of just four researchers, Cotinfi wassmall and nimble enough to run with its conviction that theproduction technology could be transformed. But it also meant

Process Award

> CotinfiAnswer to a sticky problem

Company: Cotinfi NV, Waregemstraat 29, B-8540Deerlijk, Contact: Paul Billiet, Tel: + 32 56 72 75 11Fax: + 32 56 71 22 08, E-mail: Cotinfi@skynet.beWebsite:http://home.planetinternet.be/~paul134/index.htm

Project: Development of new glue-free/adhesive-free carpet manufacturing technology

Country: Belgium

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that the financial risk associated with the five years spent layingthe groundwork for and developing the process was that muchmore acute than for larger corporations.

Billiet says that thinking environmentally is just a way of life atCotinfi. “It is part of our mentality to be environmentally con-scious. It just makes plain sense,” he observes. “I believe in thefact that economy and ecology go hand in hand.”

According to Cotinfi, there were three main driving forces behindtheir innovation: ecological, financial and quality-based.Because ultrasonic bonding does away with the need forenvironmentally unfriendly adhesives, it allows for the materialin old carpets to be reused. It saves carpet manufacturers a lotof money, since glue was a major item in their production costs.And what is more, an ultrasonic bond is stronger than a glue-based one, which enhances the quality of the product for theconsumer.

“This technology allows the recycling of carpets for the first time,requires less material and energy for production, makes themharder wearing, halves the weight of the carpet and makesmanufacturing cheaper,” noted the jury.

Chemicals group Cognis Ireland has developed a specialtechnique for dealing with waste solvents used in itsproduction processes, which reduces wastewater pollutionand provides a useful source of energy.

Cognis Ireland Ltd is based in County Cork and is part of the CognisGroup, an international speciality chemicals manufacturer. Eachyear it uses around 17,000 m3 of toluene, a solvent derived fromhydrocarbons, in the manufacture of LIX® reagents which areused to extract non-ferrous metals such as copper from metalores. In the production process, toluene is contaminated withimpurities, which must be treated before it can be used again. Toreduce the environmental impact, Cognis has developed a processwhereby the used toluene is distilled for reuse. The residue, whichis also recovered and used as fuel in the company’s combined heatand power plant, contains no sulphur, nitrogen, chlorine or otherharmful elements.

Previously, the used toluene was washed with water in order toreduce impurity levels to an acceptable concentration for recycling,and the water was then processed in the firm’s biologicaltreatment plant. The new system has replaced this procedure.

“This technology is definitely transferable to other sectors of thechemicals industry,” says Ciaran McCabe of Cognis Ireland.

The project, co-funded by the EU LIFE programme, was designedto demonstrate an innovative approach to improving the manufac-turing process through the use of solvent distillation by recyclingcloser to the source. The company put together a combination oftechnologies to generate minimum waste, virtually eliminating theassociated environmental impact. While solvent distillation itself isnot unique, what is new about the company’s approach is that theresulting distillate then contributes to on-site fuel requirements.

Process Award

> Cognis IrelandCleaning up with recycling technology

Company: Cognis Ireland Ltd, Little Island,IRL-County Cork, Contact: Ciaran McCabeTel: +353 21 451 7100E-mail: ciaran.mccabe@cognis.comWebsite: www.cognis.com

Project: Distillation of processed toluene with energy recovery

Country: Ireland

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Through eliminating the largest single source of waste chemicalload from its wastewater stream (600 tonnes a year), Cognis hassignificantly reduced the quantity of sludge generated by thewastewater treatment process. In the first year of the project, theamount of sludge for disposal fell by 681 tonnes (30%). As a result,the performance of the wastewater treatment plant has improveddramatically. The wastewater chemical load emitted has been cutby 64%, while the quantity of suspended solids in the company’seffluent has fallen by 14%.

Cognis is committed to instilling high environmental values in allits employees and utilising the best environmental and operationalpractices in all its processes. It won the National BetterEnvironment Award for Irish Industry in 1996, 1998 and 2003, andpoints out that support from the LIFE programme was invaluablein achieving the latest project’s beneficial outcome.

Cognis’ other environmental initiatives include the complete elim-ination of chlorinated solvents from production processes, andinstallation of a combined heat and power plant which is expectedto provide up to 50% of the company’s energy requirements.

Cognis Ireland Ltd is accredited to the national standards ofISO 9002 and ISO 14001 and also subscribes to the chemicalindustry’s Responsible Care Initiative.

Paul Billiet (right) receives the Belgian environment awardon behalf of Cotinfi.

Cognis ©

Cotinfi ©

a big impact. It’s great to be involved with something that isenvironmentally friendly and also has the potential to help somany people in the developing world,” says Nedap’s spokesmanTonnie Telgenhof.

The system is currently being tested in pilot projects in India withLa Gajjar Machineries identifying suitable locations for the units. Infuture it is planned that the Indian company will be involved inassembling the units and maintaining them in the field.

Nedap has lots of ideas of how to develop the product furtherincluding adding solar-powered water pumps or special filters totackle particular forms of contamination that could be present inparticular areas.

WINNER: International Cooperation Award

Company: Nedap N.V. PO Box 101, NL-7140 AC GroenloContact: Tonnie Telgenhof Oude KoehorstTel: + 31 (0) 544 471860, E-mail: naiade@nedap.comWebsite: www.nedap.com

Project: UV solar system ‘Naïade’

Country: Netherlands

21

An innovative water purification system than combines well-established solar energy and UV-water treatmenttechnologies has the potential to bring cheap, safe water tomillions in the developing world.

The Naïade, developed by Nedap, a Dutch company based inGroenlo, is a stand-alone, solar-powered water purification unitwhich can be set up and operational within 30 minutes. No specialinfrastructure is required and a single unit can meet the cleanwater requirements of between 250 and 350 people at anestimated cost of around €1 per person per year.

The company believes that this represents a breakthrough in costterms for water purification systems, making it a viable option fordeveloping countries. The portability and simplicity of the systemshould also prove particularly useful in conflict zones or areas hitby natural disasters, where a damaged or interrupted watersupply can quickly lead to the outbreak of disease.

To help develop and exploit the design, Nedap felt it was vital to finda partner with complementary expertise based in a country likelyto be an important market for the product. La Gajjar Machineries,a manufacturer of water pumps in India, proved an ideal match.Ensuring a safe water supply in this large and populous country isa huge challenge, and the prospect of an affordable method ofobtaining safe water has aroused considerable interest from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector.A number of companies, for example, have expressed interest ininstalling units in villages from which they draw their labour forcesfor their factories and plants, to help improve the health of theirworkers.

The Naïade system is environmentally friendly as it does not usechemicals such as chlorine in the purification process and nofossil fuels are required. The system is made up of a solar panel,a power supply unit, a reactor with UV lamp, a water container thatcan hold up to 100 litres, and filters. Water is poured into the

WINNER: International Cooperation Award

> Nedap N.V.Making safe water an affordable prospect for millions

20

container through a double filter and is then treated with UV lightfrom the UV lamp, which is powered by the solar panels. On cloudydays or for operation during the night an optional car battery canpower the unit.

The jury was impressed with the Naïade system concluding that ithas “massive potential in the battle against water-borne diseases,particularly in remote areas in the developing world”.

Nedap had existing experience of solar power applications and isan expert in electronics for UV water treatment equipment. It cameup with the idea of combining these tried and tested technologiesin the Naïade system when it researched the need for affordablewater purification in developing countries.

The jury was impressed with the Naïade system concluding that ithas “massive potential in the battle against water-borne diseases,particularly in remote areas in the developing world”.

“We are thrilled to have been nominated for this award. The ideabehind the Naïade is so simple but we really believe it could have

Nedap ©

SolarFrost’s small, innovative team in Austria hasdeveloped a groundbreaking solution to developingcountries' cooling problems, reducing energy consumptionand preserving perishable goods.

Operating cooling systems, to store agricultural produce forexample, is a major challenge for developing countries. Theenergy required is very costly, and blackouts – unfortunatelycommon in poorer countries – can quickly ruin valuable pro-duce. SolarFrost, with a four-person team based inWolfsgraben, Austria, has invented a new cooling technologyspecifically designed to operate in developing countries with hotclimates.

The key to the technique is that it allows cooling units to operatewith significantly lower levels of heat to drive the units (around80o C) compared to conventional cooling systems which requirethermal energy at around 150o C. In sunny climates, solarpanels can generate these temperatures, without resorting toenergy from expensive and often unreliable electricity. At thesame time, the units are simple to maintain and operate and theparts for the system – steel pipes and valves – are generallyeasy to obtain. The SolarFrost system can also be used torefrigerate vaccines in rural areas without electricity.

International Cooperation Award

> SolarFrost ResearchA cool solution for small communities

Company: SolarFrost ResearchHauptstrasse 90, A-3012 Wolfsgraben,Contact: Dr. Gerhard KunzeTel: + 43 2233 56832 E-mail: kunze@solarfrost.com

Project: SolarFrost – an alternative coolingtechnology

Country: Austria

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SolarFrost started as the result of a development cooperationproject between Austria and Tanzania in 1996, focusing on howto develop a solar-powered refrigeration system for milk. Thescheme had to be easy to construct and maintain under ruralAfrican conditions, and cheap enough for local people to affordwithout foreign loans.

It is not only the SolarFrost technology that is groundbreaking.The way the company makes its expertise available to poorercommunities worldwide is also highly unusual. The companyenters into partnerships with local agents, so that the coolingtechnology it develops is geared to meet specific local needs. Sofar, it has established partnerships in Mexico and Thailand. InMexico, SolarFrost is developing air conditioning for smallshops in Salina Cruz – especially bakeries in houses with noinsulation and flat tin roofs. The system uses the waste heatfrom the ovens to power the cooling units. In Thailand, it isworking to substitute conventional cooling systems in order toreduce the environmental impact of economic growth on air andwater pollution.

SolarFrost’s approach is to transfer as much of its know-how aspossible. By passing on engineering skills to local partners anddeveloping construction kits, the firm enables inhabitants inpoor villages, for example, to build their own cold store usinglocally manufactured parts.

The payment system is also designed to make the technology asaccessible as possible. SolarFrost charges only 6% of themarginal costs of production in order to be able to finance fur-ther promotion of self-contained cooling projects among ruralpeople. Payments are made in instalments and the partners canstop paying at any time without any future liability towardsSolarFrost, a useful feature for communities with limited finan-cial resources. The local partner also obtains an option to applyfor a patent licence for the product in the country concerned.

In the dry Sahel region of Africa, clean water can be hard tocome by, while sewage often runs untreated onto thestreets and seeps into groundwater – causing a majorpublic health hazard. Belgian NGO Aquadev set up a novelbiological wastewater treatment project in Niger, whichthey hope will act as a model for the entire region.

As anyone who has lived in an arid climate will attest, water is aprecious commodity, and can also be a problem. In Niger, forinstance, the ancient sewage system is crumbling and has notexpanded fast enough to meet population growth. This meansthat sewage goes untreated, and in addition to carryingdiseases, it often contaminates the groundwater that peopledepend on.

Belgian NGO Aquadev started in 1987 as a student initiative toassist Africa’s water problems. It now also runs microfinanceinitiatives and other projects to improve food security and urbanenvironments.

With nearly €1 million in EU backing, and in partnership withNiger’s city of Niamey University, it experimented with novelorganic wastewater treatment techniques. The successfulthree-year project, from 1998 to 2001, built local capacity andproved the viability of the technology for local conditions,making it an ideal solution for the entire Sahel region.

The easy transferability of the project’s inexpensive approachwon the support of the award jury. Describing it as an exampleof “enthusiastic cooperation”, the judges commended thesustainability of the project’s “simple treatment technology”.

Aquadev set up an experimental pilot purification plant to servethe 2,000 students at Niamey University. The facility – which useswhat is known as natural lagoon treatment technology (NLT) –runs the wastewater into 17 one-metre-deep pools, where thesewage sits while micro-plankton break it down. Aerobic bacteria

International Cooperation Award

> AquadevThe free flow of international cooperation

Organisation: Aquadev, 151, Rue des CarmélitesB-1180 Brussels, Contact: Eric FerontTel: + 32 472 620 763E-mail: eric.feront@nfpmarketing.orgWebsite: www.aquadev.org

Project: Pilot wastewater treatmentstation, Niamey (Niger)

Country: Belgium

22

also help to decompose the waste, and floating plants, such ashyacinth, absorb the resulting mineral. In the final stages ofpurification, the semi-clean water is run through a bed of gravel,which acts as a rock filter.

In addition to eliminating the toxic problem of sewage, this simplebut effective technology results in a plethora of useful by-products. “We use the purified water to irrigate the land and breedfish, among other things,” notes Aquadev project officerChristophe Brismé. A popular tropical fish in Niger, tilapia, lives inthe pools simply feeding on the algae. Bourgou, a semi-aquaticplant, grows on the gravel and serves as fodder for cattle. Thehyacinth in the lagoons is used to make compost, or when driedand pressed to make chipboards and anti-mosquito spirals.

This pilot project has been self-sustaining for the past threeyears. “We trained four scientists and students at the universityand they are running it completely now,” observes Brismé. “Thenext step for our local partners is to use the technology to purifyindustrial waste.” Financial hurdles stand in the way of theseplans and more ambitious ones to build a full-scale modelstation to serve an entire district of the town, but Europe-widerecognition is a big encouragement. “We are pleased with theexposure the EU awards have given us,” says Brismé.

SELECTION

> The 2004 Business Awards forthe Environment jury

Twelve distinguished jury members took part in choosing the winners of the 2004 European

Business Awards for the Environment. All are highly qualified for the job, representing a

wide range of interests and expertise, including stakeholders, NGOs, industry, commerce,

public health and international cooperation. With Ireland holding the EU Presidency in the

first half of 2004, one of the country’s top environmental experts headed the panel, which

had members from 11 European states.

Yvonne Scannell (president)One of Ireland’s leading specialists on environmental law,Yvonne Scannell lectures on Irish and European environmentallaw at Trinity College, Dublin. She is also an environmentallawyer and has written five books on this area of the law.

Thierry ChambolleThierry Chambolle from France is sustainable developmentadviser to utility giant SUEZ, the one-time operator of the SuezCanal in Egypt. He is also the chairman of the EnvironmentCommittee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)France, and a member of the French Haut Conseil de laCoopération Internationale (HCCI).

Klaus KohlhaseKlaus Kohlhase from Germany is an independent businessconsultant. An engineer by training, he worked for oil giant BPfor almost four decades. Among the roles he filled there wassenior environmental adviser. He has also been a member ofseveral environmental advisory bodies.

Vera NorteVera Norte is packaging giant Tetra Pak’s environment managerin Portugal. She is also the executive director of the Associationfor Beverage Cartons (AFCAL), board member of the PortuguesePackaging Institute (CNE) and Recipac (Paper material RecyclingCompany).

José Llorca OrtegaJosé Llorca Ortega is a career civil servant with the Spanishgovernment’s port authority. He is also president of state-ownedPORTEL. Among the many posts he has held, he representedSpain at the International Maritime Organisation’s ScientificCommittee of the London Convention on the Dumping of Wastesat Sea.

Michael CookeMichael Cooke from the UK is a self-employed consultant instrategic management, public health and sustainable develop-ment. Trained as an environmental health officer, he worked forseveral years in UK local government. He was also chief execu-tive of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health from 1994to 2000.

Costas CarrasOver 30 years ago, Costas Carras founded his native Greece’sleading environmental group, the Hellenic Society for theProtection of the Environment and the Cultural Heritage, whichhe currently chairs. He is also vice-president of the Federationof European Conservation Organisations. He has written widelyon Greek culture and religion.

Désirée GuissardDésirée Guissard is a freelance Belgian environmental auditorand consultant. She has been consulted by numerous largeBelgian organisations including train operator SNCB/NMBS andtelephone operator Belgacom.

Hans-Roland LindgrenHans-Roland Lindgren is director of the international secretariatat the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. In his currentcapacity, he advises his government on environmental issuesrelated to EU enlargement. The Swede is also a member ofseveral EU environmental committees and bodies.

Anton GantarAnton Gantar is a qualified chemist who works as an environ-mental consultant in Slovenia. He is a member of severalassociations including the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce’sEnvironmental Commission. He has published more than 120scientific papers and other documents.

Robert László NemeskériRobert Nemeskéri from Hungary heads the business andenvironment programme at the independent RegionalEnvironmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe. Anelectrical engineer by training, he is currently preparing a PhDin environmental economics to add to his masters in environ-mental resource management.

Oliver RapfOliver Rapf is an expert on sustainable energy andclimate change with the European policy office of theWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Brussels. TheGerman is registered as an adviser on sustainablebusiness practices at the European Commission.

JURY

2524

The Business Awards for the Environment jury (left to right): Thierry Chambolle, France; Robert Nemeskéri,REC The Regional Environment Centre; Erika Jangen, European Commission; Vera Norte, Portugal; DésiréeGuissard, Belgium; Hans-Roland Lindgren, Sweden; Yvonne Scannell, Ireland (President); Klaus Kolhause,Germany; Michael Cooke, United Kingdom; Ylva Tiveus, European Commission; José Llorca Ortega, Spain;Costas Carras, Greece. Missing from the picture: Anton Gantar, Slovenia and Oliver Rapf, WWF Europe.

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Business awards in Member States

> National schemes: the gateway to Europe-wide acclaim

26

The national environment award schemes, which select outstanding candidates for Europe, generate both interest and enthusiasmin their own countries, while their organisation and priorities reflect national circumstances. For new EU Member States, in particular, the scheme is an important plank in their corporate responsibility programmes.

In the last round of national awards, all countries prioritised projects that demonstrate how protecting the environment iseconomically viable and makes good business sense. They see these schemes as a means of publicly rewarding companies for theircommitment to environmental improvement, and of encouraging them to continue their efforts.

The size of the companies that participated in the national award schemes varied from country to country. In some, the majority ofentrants were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which can be leading proponents of environmentally friendly working. Inothers, larger companies made up the bulk of participants, reflecting their environmental commitment as a major aspect of theircorporate social responsibility programme.

Winning the national prizes gives companies – and countries - a tremendous boost. Businesses use the award to promote theirproducts nationally and, perhaps more importantly, internationally. For many countries, having a firm nominated to go forward to theEuropean awards brings genuine prestige.

The national competitions in the Member States underpin the European Business Awards for the Environment. The winners of thenational awards can then participate in the European awards. Here are the national contact details.

Interested in competing for the next round of European Business Awards for the Environment?Then contact your national award organiser and get all the information you need.

AustriaThe Austrian awards take place in the context of existing environmental policies, such as the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme(EMAS) – the voluntary initiative designed to improve companies' environmental performance – and winners are selected inconjunction with government ministries working in related fields.

In Austria, organisers find that the awards promote a better awareness of environmental issues in the country, and companies usethe awards in their customer promotions. A nomination to the European awards or, even better, being a winner is a great honour forboth the chosen companies and for Austrian environmental policy.

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Division VI/5Mr Armin Pecher, Stubenbastei 5, A-1010 Vienna, Tel: + 43 1 51 522 16 46, E-mail: armin.pecher@lebensministerium.atWebsite: http://www.lebensministerium.at/umwelt and http://www.emas.gv.at

BelgiumAn important aim for the organisers is: “To correct the misleading view that companies are always major polluters. Our selectedcompanies have taken important steps to improve the environment, and the well-being of the Belgian population.”

In 2003, the Belgian organisers recognised companies or institutions that have been in operation for at least five years, and whoseactivities have not depleted or damaged natural resources.

Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB)Ms Birgit Fremault, Rue Ravenstein straat 4, B-1000 Brussels, Tel: + 32 2 515 08 51, Fax: + 32 2 515 08 32E-mail: wba@vbo-feb.be Websites: http://www.milieuprijs.be (Flemish), http:www.prixenvironnement.be (French)http://www.vbo.be http://www.feb.be

“I don’t think the European Business Awards for theEnvironment have got the same visibility as the Oscars yet, butit would be great if they did!” The President of the 2004 awardsjury panel Professor Yvonne Scannell conjures up a delightfulimage of press and public thronging to glimpse the prize-winners as the prestigious awards are handed out to innovativeand environmentally aware companies across Europe.

“The media don’t present enough good news about the environ-ment,” she elaborates. “They do the easy things, like coveringenvironmental disasters, but they don’t publicise the innovationswhich could be a model for others to follow. That’s what theEuropean awards highlight.”

Regarded as Ireland’s leading specialist on environmental law,Professor Scannell also comes into contact with the negativeside of company practice on the environment. But she is full ofpraise for the industries that have the foresight to innovate. “I feel that at a certain level most businesses are extremelyconscious of the environment and are anxious to comply with therules. They are much maligned. The good ones have a lesson toteach each other and the public sector. Some are better thanothers, but in heavily regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals,firms are really state-of-the-art in what they are trying to do.”

Small businesses are especially good at fostering creativity, shebelieves. “They come up with amazing solutions. But industries– and indeed all of us – need to be challenged all the time.There’s always somebody with good ideas, and companies thatgive them space and trust them to come up with the answerscan do very well. We need entrepreneurs for environmentalideas.”

Professor Scannell says consumers also play an important role.“They should be knowledgeable about the environment andmake informed choices about what they are buying. Above all,they should reward companies with good environmental records

INTERVIEW

> Clean companies take centre stage

by choosing their products.” But she feels more work is neededin developing a clear, transparent formula by which the publiccan judge company performance. She thinks the criteria usedare often defective and that the achievements of some good com-panies and sectors are not recognised. “It’s not just a question ofticking boxes,” she explains. “It’s about having the right attitude.You need a business ethos that values and rewards innovationand commitment to environmental excellence.”

At the end of a demanding round of judging, Professor Scannellconcludes that it is not possible for enterprises to win one of theEuropean prizes by just doing what is expected of them. “To earnthese awards you need imagination, innovation, the rightphilosophy and a lot more,” she insists.

FinlandFinland did not to organise awards in 2003, but is actively planning for the next competition. Finnish industry is keen to continue theawards as businesses appreciate them for the marketing benefits and the contacts they bring.

The organisers believe that the awards enable companies from a country with a small business community to gain internationalrecognition for their work. This is particularly useful as the majority of participating companies are SMEs of up to 250 employees.These awards are widely publicised on company web pages, and this draws in new foreign customers, impressed that products havewon national prizes.

Keksintösäätiö-Foundation for Finnish Inventions Mr Juha Jutila, Tekniikantie 12, FIN-02150 Espoo, Tel: + 358 20 737 3000, Fax: + 358 95 024 3210E-mail: juha.jutila@keksintosaatio.fin Websites: www.innofin.com, www.keksintosaatio.fi

FranceThere are two prize schemes feeding into the European awards: one for environmentally aware management of a company and theother for an environmental product. Both French companies and the national sections of multinationals compete for the awards, asthey appreciate the credibility they gain from winning.

Assemblée des Chambres Françaises de Commerce et d'Industrie (ACFCI) - Service Environnement Mr Richard Blanc, Assemblée des Chambres Françaises de Commerce et d'Industrie, Pôle Environnement etdéveloppement durable, 45 avenue d'Iéna, BP 3003, F-75773 Paris Cedex 16, Tel: + 33 1 40 69 39 05, Fax: + 33 1 53 57 19 05 E-mail: r.blanc@acfci.cci.fr Website: www.acfci.cci.fr/pe2004

GermanyIn Germany, the awards recognise and promote companies – particularly SMEs – that make an outstanding contribution to sustain-able development. According to the organisers: “This is a field in which many German companies have a competitive advantage.”

They set five priorities for their environmental awards, and generally receive about 90 applications. The five themes focus on theproduction process, the product, management aspects, international cooperation; and the organisers award a special prize forrecycling of waste and waste management.

Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.v, Abteilung UmweltpolitikMr Franz-Josef von Kempis, Breite Strasse 29, D-10178 Berlin, Tel: + 49 30 2028 1509 Fax: + 49 30 2028 2509, E-mail: v.Kempis@bdi-online.de Website: www.bdi-online.de

Great Britain and Northern IrelandThese awards highlight the importance for British business and industry of improving their environmental performance, and help tosupport other government policies and initiatives on minimising waste, resource efficiency, sustainable development and sustainableconsumption and production.

The organisers believe that, “Winning this prize endorses environmental, economic and social benefits, gives the winning companiespublicity and prestige, and validates the concept of sound environmental management. The British finalists this time round demon-strated that it was possible for good environment practice to make good business sense.”

DEFRA – Environment, Business and Consumers Division Mr Chris Thomas, 6/D10 - Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, UK-London SW1D 6DE, Tel: + 44 207 082 8670 Fax: + 44 207 082 8698, E-mail: Chris.Thomas@defra.gsi.gov.uk

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Bulgaria Bulgaria aims to start organising national business awards for the environment and maybe join the European scheme.

Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum Ms Desislava Miteva, 42 Slavyanska St.floor 3, BG-1000 Sofia, Tel:+ 359 2 986 5202, Fax:+ 359 2 986 5625 E-mail: desislava.miteva@bblf.bg Website: www.bblf.bg

CyprusCyprus aims to start holding national business awards for the environment and maybe join the European Business Awards for theEnvironment.

Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Environment Service Ms Irene Constantinou, CY-1411 Nicosia, Tel: +357 22303859, Fax: +357 22774945 E-mail: iconstantinou@environment.moa.gov.cy

Czech RepublicThe Health, Safety and Environment Award was set up in 1989, and since then the Business Leaders Forum has received over 304 entrants.

The award is part of the Business Leaders Forum corporate social responsibility remit, and it stresses that industry must understandthat being environment-friendly is an integral part of CSR. The Health, Safety and Environment Award is granted to an organisationthat can prove the best measurable contribution to boosting the natural or work environment, or the health either of employees orlocal inhabitants, or any other measure that improves the global environment.

Business Leaders ForumMr Tomas Nejedlo, Stepanska 61, Palac Lucerna, CZ-116 02 Praha 1, Tel: + 420 224 216 275, Fax: + 420 224 213 957 E-mail: blf@blf.cz, Website: www.blf.cz

DenmarkInnovation and sustainability within technological development are the priorities for the Danish awards. The winning projects are thosethat are both innovative and able to compete on the market. In this way the competition demonstrates that saving environmentalresources and reducing environmental impact can also be profitable for business.

The organisers encourage both private companies and public institutions to participate, but the projects have to be commercial andmarket-oriented. The competition’s emphasis is on cleaner technology, green products, environmental management and internation-al partnership. The selection criteria also relate to the European Environment Agency’s latest Weather Forecast for the EuropeanEnvironment.

Ingeniørforeningen i Danmark (IDA) (The Society of Danish Engineers) Mr Kristian Smestad, Kalvebod Brygge 31-33, DK-1780 Kobenhavn V, Tel: + 45 33 18 48 48, Fax: + 45 33 18 48 87E-mail: ks@ida.dk

EstoniaThe ministry organising these environmental awards uses them to acknowledge the efforts and investments being made by nationalenterprises to reduce environmental pollution, promote environmentally clean production methods and raise public awareness.

The competition was organised for the second time in 2003, with separate categories for large companies and for SMEs. The organisers are still building interest in the awards among industry, and encouraging firms to participate. They are keen to devel-op this as it promotes Estonian industry, and the winners have successfully used the publicity to advance their products.

Ministry of the Environment, Republic of Estonia Ms Ingrid Tamm, Ravala 8 C 211, EE-10413 Tallin, Tel: + 372 627 3064, Fax: + 372 660 4522E-mail: ingrid.tamm@ekm.envir.ee, Website: www.envir.ee

LithuaniaThe Achievements in Environmental Protection awards show the national and worldwide business communities what progressiveLithuanian enterprises can do, and encourage other manufacturers and service providers to implement environmental managementsystems. The Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists finds the ‘new generation’ of highly educated managers in newly establishedcompanies is particularly interested in competing.

The European awards should help to make “sustainable development the number one priority for all companies in the new EU-25”,say the organisers, adding: “Although our country does not have a long tradition in environmentally friendly technologies, theseawards will help to eliminate this gap.”

Lithuania Federation of IndustrialistsMr Andrius Nikitinas, Vienuolio 8, LT-2001 Vilnius, Tel: + 370 5 212 61 30, Fax: + 370 5 212 52 09, E-mail: ekonomika@lpk.lt Websites: www.lpk.lt, www.iea.lt

LuxembourgAccording to the organisers, the four guiding principles for the award are: “originality in technology, making sure that the product isboth economic and ecological, that it reduces harmful emissions and that it is ready to be marketed”.The awards are held every two years, with larger industrial companies, SMEs and consultants all encouraged to participate. In a verysmall country, the number of participants (up to ten) is very encouraging.

Federation of Luxembourg Industrialists (FEDIL) Mr René Winkin, PO Box 1304, L-1013 Luxembourg, Tel: + 35 2 43 53 661, Fax: + 35 2 43 23 28, E-mail: rene.winkin@fedil.luWebsite: www.fedil.lu

MaltaThe awards are organised to recognise the efforts made by companies to protect the environment. They also start a ‘domino effect’ byshowing the industrial fraternity that controlling environmental impact can also be a profitable activity.

The organisers found the take-up encouraging, as the awards are in their infancy. They targeted both the handful of transnationalcompanies and the 3,000 small and micro enterprises, through mail shots, personal contacts and through industrial associations.

Cleaner Technology Centre Mr Anton Pizzuto, University Campus, MT-MSD06 Msida, Tel: + 356 2131 3416, Fax: + 356 2134 4879E-mail: ctc@mus.com.mt

Poland Poland aims to launch national business awards for the environment and maybe join the European Business Awards for theEnvironment.

Polish Environmental Partnership Foundation Mr Rafal Serafin, 6/6 Bracka Street, PL-31-005 Krakow, Tel:+ 48 12422-5088, Fax:+ 48 12429-4725 E-mail: serafin@epce.org.pl Website: www.epce.org.pl

Portugal Portugal aims to set up national business awards for the environment and may join the European scheme.

Instituto do Ambiente Ministerio das Cidades, Ordenamento do territorio e Ambiente Ms Isabel Lico, Rua da Murgueira, 9/9a - Zambujal Ap. 7585, P-2611-865 Amadora, Tel: + 351 21 472 82 87, Fax: + 351 21 471 9074E-mail: isabel.lico@iambiente.pt

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GreeceThe competition is organised every two years to encourage good environmental management and the environmentally friendly designof products. The Federation of Greek Industries promotes the competition through different business sectors, and finds that interestvaries from year to year – while earlier competitions generated considerable interest, t