Feb 17 2010
The Plastics Environmental Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) has announced the six finalists in the Clean Technology Business Forum & Competition to be held at next month’s Global Plastics Environmental Conference (GPEC) 2010.
The finalists, companies in the early stages of developing cutting-edge technologies that promote sustainability, will make presentations before a judging panel made up of industry experts in sustainability and professionals from the investment community. The judges will select two winning companies, which will receive cash prizes sponsored by Battelle. The judging panel includes representatives from Battelle, Cascadia Capital, the law firm of Cooley Godward Kronish, Emerald Technology Ventures, Modern Plastics Worldwide, SPM Technologies, and the winner of the 2009 competition, FRX Polymers.
“The Clean Technology Business Forum & Competition provides a unique opportunity for companies to showcase their innovative clean technologies before an audience of industry leaders and prospective investors,” said Eric Koester, coordinator of the Clean Technology Business Forum and an attorney with Cooley Godward Kronish. “In turn these companies provide an exciting look at the future of the polymer and plastics industries.”
The GPEC® Clean Technology Forum conference will take place March 8-10 at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center in Orlando, FL. The six finalists will present on March 9, 2010. Winners of the Clean Technology Awards will be recognized at a banquet on March 9.
The six finalists in the Clean Technology competition are:
- AmbientEco Group (Denver, Colorado) develops pre-processing techniques that make possible syngas/biofuel production in the waste-to-green energy field and holds pending and issued patents for a process that converts municipal solid waste (MSW) into an alternative fuel. The AmbientEco process removes inerts and metals and employs industrial dehumidification equipment to reduce MSW moisture content so that waste can be converted into a high-grade refuse-derived fuel. www.ambienteco.com.
- Avantium (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) is involved in the development and commercialization of biopolymers and biofuels. The company is developing an efficient, low-cost process to convert carbohydrates into furan-based products, which it calls Furanics, on the basis of novel chemical catalytic technology. www.avantium.com.
- Fiberforge Corporation (Glenwood Springs, Colorado) sells manufacturing systems that produce advanced-composite parts in higher volumes and at lower costs than are achieved with current processes. Fiberforge has patented technology using recyclable thermoplastic resins (e.g., nylon) and technical fibers (e.g., carbon) to enable gains in efficiency and performance (e.g., saving one pound on a commercial aircraft saves over $1000 in fuel). www.fiberforge.com.
- Segetis, Inc. (Golden Valley, Minnesota) develops chemical and plastic products derived from a new, versatile monomer platform. These monomers are built from levulinic acid, a chemical derived from cellulosic biomass, and biobased hydroxyl compounds. www.segetis.com.
- Soy Works Corporation (Woodridge, Illinois) develops, manufactures, and sells biobased resins for conversion into disposable or single-use products. Currently, Soy Works partners with established companies that have a compelling economic or strategic need to offer “green” finished products. www.soyworkscorporation.com.
- VAST Enterprises, LLC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) develops and manufactures composite products that offer an engineered, green alternative to molded concrete and clay brick. VAST has developed patented material science technology to turn post-consumer recycled rubber and plastics into a new green building material: composite masonry. www.vastpavers.com.