Two Australian companies in running for global cleantech award

The Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA) has announced its Global Top 30 Semi-Finalists for its 2012 Later Stage Award, with two Australian entrants – Carnegie Wave Energy and WindLab Systems – numbering among the companies thus-far adjudged “rising stars” in the industry, and best-positioned to attract investment for growth.

WA-based Carnegie Wave is largely focused on developing and commercialising its 100%-owned CETO wave energy technology, which produces zero-emission power and direct desalinated water. WindLab, which is head-quartered in Canberra and was originally spun-out of the CSIRO, has developed its own industry-leading wind mapping/forecasting technology.

“The Global Top 30 companies have a proven track record of promoting and increasing the use of green technology in their home markets,” said Shawn Lesser, co-founder of the GCCA. “With a goal to advance the global use of clean energy and products, we are committed to spotlighting these innovative companies on a world stage.”

The Global Top 30 – chosen from an original field of 4000 – will, over the next three months, be judged by 28 cleantech VCs, investors and entrepreneurs, who have collectively invested over $3.5 billion in clean technology world-wide.

GCCA Head Judge Dr Peter Adriaens, who helped develop the competition’s selection method, said the Global Top 30 proved strong product differentiation and viable business models, as well as securing solid market traction in their various sub-sectors.

“The 2012 Global Top 30 truly are the world’s top-tier cleantech companies,” Adriaens said. Winners in the 10 Later Stage Award categories will be announced on announced on November 12. A full list of all the GCCA Later Stage Award 2012 Global Top 30 Finalists can be found here.

Oz cleantech comp finalists announced

Seven cleantech hopefuls have been selected for the final round of the Australian Clean Technologies Competition – one more than the planned six, say contest organisers Australian CleanTech, due to the quality and quantity of entrants this year – the comp’s second year. The seven finalist companies – whittled down from 103 entrants – offer solutions for energy efficiency, waste reduction and green construction and were identified as those showing the greatest global potential based on three key criteria, technology, market and business plan. The winner of the competition – part of the Gillard government’s $54.8 billion Buy Australian At Home and Abroad initiative, and linked to the US-based Cleantech Open – will be announced on October 4 and will represent Australia at the Global Cleantech Competition in the US in November.

And the finalists are…

Advanced Plant Nutrition: Developer of an innovative product (MaxSil) made from post-consumer waste glass which will reduce the amount of waste being taken to landfill and can be used to significantly increase plant nutrient uptake and increase crop yields by up to 25 per cent. MaxSil has also demonstrated the capacity to reduce carbon intensive phosphate inputs by up to 50 per cent.

Aeratron: Developer of a new fan design with increased airflow efficiency that reduces energy use by up to 50 per cent on air conditioning, creates reduced noise and can be retrofitted.

Biofiba: Maker of the eponymous composite comprising 100 per cent natural organic matter sourced from commercially grown, renewable, non-food crops processed and extruded into a simulated timber plank as an alternative to timber, plastic, cardboard and polystyrene in the manufacturer of biodegradable export shipping pallets.

enLighten Australia: Designer and supplier of highly efficient LED lighting for commercial, industrial and residential strata applications, reducing energy consumption by up to 93 per cent compared with traditional fluorescent lighting.

SkyCool: manufactures a cool-roof coating that reduces the internal temperatures of buildings such as shopping malls, airports and warehouses to below ambient typically saving 30-50 per cent of a building’s air conditioning energy giving IRRs of 25-100 per cent.

Tropiglas Technologies: Developer of energy-generating clear glass technology that will have market entry as a clear low-emissions glass for the automotive and building industries. The technology blocks IR and UV radiation and associated heat whilst allowing visible light through.

VR TEK Global: Developer of a process to turn end of life tyre waste into high-value very fine devulcanised and activated rubber powders that can be used to economically replace virgin material in the manufacture of high-end products in the areas of rubber, plastics and elastomers.