I is for IPEx, IEA, IRENA, IGPN, ISO 20121 & Interface

As the market potential for Cleantech investments in Asia could reach US$20 and 50 billion per annum between now and 2020, the time is right for the launch of IPEx Cleantech Asia, as the world’s first “matchmaker” for technology providers and prospective adopters in Asian countries. IEA denounces subsidies for fossil fuels, while IRENA pushes for greater renewable energy investment. IGPN continues to promote green purchasing and procuring, while ISO 20121 is now the sustainable event standard. Interface, the world’s largest carpet tile manufacturer achieves 100% renewable energy, virtually zero water in manufacturing and zero waste to landfill in Europe. Read More

IPEx Cleantech Asia Provides Technology Transfer Marketplace

Report in Green Business Singapore  (6 December 2014):

There’s a multi-billion dollar market in Asia for low carbon clean technology – or Cleantech – and IPEx Cleantech Asia has been launched to capitalise on this.

The new Singapore-based entity will act as a matchmaker and service provider, assisting both technology companies from around the world with innovative products and services, and prospective buyers and adopters in Asian countries.

Believed to be the world’s first Cleantech Intellectual Property (IP) Assisted Brokerage Platform, it is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is set up by ReEx Capital Asia and DNV GL Clean Technology Centre.

The initial focus areas for IPEx Cleantech Asia are Solar, Energy Storage, Energy Efficiency and Waste to Energy. It is equipped to identify deals that could create value for both technology holders and acquirers, as well as provide enhanced due diligence assessment to cover patent, IP, financial and commercial as well as technical considerations.

The market potential for Cleantech investments in Asia is estimated by the industry to be between US$20 and 50 billion per annum between now and 2020, while the World Bank estimates that a further US$20-30 billion per annum is required to shift to low-emission technologies in developing countries.

As the region is home to 53 percent of the world’s population and some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the majority of Cleantech funding is expected to happen in the Asia Pacific region, which is also the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

One of the prime movers behind IPEx Cleantech Asia, ReEx Capital Asia will operate the platform with DNV GL Clean Technology Center providing policy and technical advisory services.

ReEx Capital Asia’s CEO, Yanis Boudjouher, says “IPEx will operate by proactively bringing together low carbon technologies (LCTs) and those ready and willing to finance and acquire them”.

Frederic Crampe, ReEx Capital Asia’s co-founder, adds that “the assisted brokerage entity will bridge LCTs from around the world with relevant Asia-based project developers and systems integrators”.

The other key partner in this venture, Dr Sanjay C Kuttan, Director of DNV GL Clean Technology Centre, says “IPEx Cleantech Asia will accelerate the transfer and deployment of LCTs to developing Asia by ensuring a high level pre-feasibility evaluation is in place that facilitates the transaction, thereby helping to mitigate climate change impacts and stimulate economic development”.

ADB’s Jiwan Acharya, Senior Climate Change Specialist, said during the side event of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate Change Conference held in Lima, Peru: “Asia and the Pacific has the most to gain and the most to lose from climate change. Greater access to climate technologies and financing would help put the region on a low-carbon path that would benefit the region, and the world.”

The parties involved in the new marketplace have extensive experience in the technology transfer, IP, technology and funding in the Cleantech sector, most notably involving investments in renewable energy projects in Asia.

Source: www.greenbusiness.sg/2014/12/06/ipex-cleantech-asia-provides-technology-transfer-marketplace-press-release/#sthash.LVRYXg90.dpuf

Interface Europe Reports (5 February 2014):

Interface Europe reaches sustainability milestones, achieving 90% carbon reduction

World’s largest carpet tile manufacturer achieves 100% renewable energy, virtually zero water in manufacturing and zero waste to landfill at its European manufacturing facility in The Netherlands

Interface, a leading carpet tile manufacturer and environmental pioneer, has reached a series of major sustainability milestones at its European manufacturing facility in Scherpenzeel, The Netherlands.

As of January 2014 the company has been operating with 100% renewable energy (both electricity and gas), using virtually zero water in its manufacturing processes and has attained zero waste to landfill. This is a key achievement for the facility and a significant step forward for the company as it strives towards Mission Zero – Interface’s pledge to eliminate any negative impact it has on the environment by 2020 and by doing so, become a restorative enterprise.

Interface started its Mission Zero journey in 1996 and by 2013 had reduced its GHG emissions by 80% and water use by 87% in Europe. The company has recently introduced several innovations that are significantly reducing its impact on the environment further still, achieving 95% water reduction and 90% carbon reduction from January 2014. One example is the company’s recent switch to green gas at its facility in Scherpenzeel. The gas is created by anaerobic digestion of fish waste, which is filtered to natural gas and pumped into the grid. The other main innovation implemented has been a water recirculation system through closed loop piping.

Commenting on Interface’s achievement, Rob Boogaard, CEO of Interface in Europe said, “In the past three years we have taken huge strides towards our Mission Zero goal. To put it in context, as per January 2014, we are operating our European factories with a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1996 while the EU Commission has set an EU carbon reduction target of 40% by 2030. 2014 is a landmark year for us in many ways as we celebrate 20 years of Mission Zero, and these figures from our European manufacturing operations show just how far we’ve come and what can be achieved with the right mind set and ambition.

“However, while our achievements are to be celebrated, this is certainly not a time to be complacent. For us, Mission Zero is not simply about reducing our own direct impacts – it’s also about taking full responsibility for the entire lifecycle of our products. Our goal is to cut the umbilical cord to oil, with the result that 44% of our raw materials in Europe are already recycled or bio-based we’ve come a long way but our Mission continues.”

Source: http://www.interfaceflor.co.uk/