WMTN takes green innovation to Westminster

News Release from: West Midlands Technology Network
13/05/2008

New "green" businesses are set to bring new life to the West Midlands economy, according to expert speakers at a special event for Government ministers, MPs and advisors in Westminster on 29 April hosted by Lord Turner of Bilston.

Local firms – including one aiming to solve the problem of the UK’s plastic hanger jungle; a business which allows councils to recycle all household plastic rubbish; and another which creates building materials from waste bottles – were among those recognised for their achievements in turning environmentally-friendly solutions into successful businesses.

The Westminster event was organised by the West Midlands Technology Network (WMTN) – a collaboration between the University of Wolverhampton, Coventry University, Birmingham City University, Staffordshire University, Walsall College and Coventry City Council – which provides small and medium sized firms with hands-on support and the access to technology and specialist skills which helps them to develop new product offerings.

Ian Pearson MP, Minster of State for Science and Innovation, DIUS said: “The WMTN is an example of how companies can be supported in developing smart hi-tech ideas that are both commercially successful and provide environmental and social benefits. Engaging with the West Midland's universities and centres of excellence provides great opportunities for companies working with new green technologies to bring new jobs and prosperity to the region.

Dr Antony Robotham at the WMTN said: “In contrast to the view that many SMEs are more interested in profits than the environment, we find that small companies see issues such as waste minimisation and recycling as standard good business practice. Much of the innovation driven by small firms is now in green technologies, and this is where a specialist network like the WMTN is so important in both being a source of knowledge, but also having the practical know-how to make sure new products are created and have a market.”

Dr Norman Price, Chair of Birmingham Science City, and ECO-Logic UK, one of the exhibitors said; “There are real needs throughout the world for Quality of Life products. Many require some technological innovation, which is where the West Midlands Region has always been successful and is demonstrated here. We must now convince both private and public sector purchasers to grasp these new opportunities and buy. Every successful innovation needs early customers.”

Each of the businesses showcased at the event had worked with the WMTN to either develop their product and establish new markets or reduce their carbon footprint.

ECO-Logic UK (based in Birmingham) provides technology which leads to substantial water and energy savings. Simple to use controls for basins, sinks, showers, baths and WCs provide complete control flexibility, including run time, fill level and temperature settings.

HANGER4LIFE™ (Coventry University TechnoCentre) has developed an adjustable, re-usable hanger system. With 2 billion plastic hangers used each year in the UK, it is estimated that by re-using the hanger4life™ range large garment retailers could realise a carbon footprint reduction of up to 85%. If a large high street retailer re-used the hanger4life™, it would save 54,000 tonnes of CO2 (the equivalent of taking around 20,000 cars off the road).

Geofusion (Bromsgrove) is a revolutionary producer of recyclable, sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. 97% of each Geofusion product uses recycled glass, manufactured from waste glass destined for landfill or aggregate. Wine bottles, beer bottles and TV tubes are all used to make bricks, tiles, pavers or slips, all of which are themselves 100% recyclable.

Geotechnics Limited (Coventry) is a specialist geotechnical and geoenvironmental company providing site investigations, design solutions and consultancy to the Construction Industry, landowners, developers and public utilities companies. Its work leads to the design of efficient foundations, allowing potential hazards to be identified and helps with the increased re-use of “Brownfield” or vacant land in urban areas.

Ecolec (Wolverhampton) has developed a range of electrical heating solutions that are ideal to install where wet heating systems are impractical or complex to install – in particular in flats, apartments and in older buildings where the installation of wet heating systems is fraught with problems – leading to energy savings within the domestic and business markets.

DCS (Edgbaston, Birmingham) has designed a unique desktop PC that uses less electricity, gives off less heat, makes less noise, takes up less space, and causes fewer carbon emissions than a full-size pc – whilst still having all the same features.

Omnia Recycling (Bushbury, Wolverhampton) has found a way to recycle mixed plastics, meaning no need for householders to pick out the different plastic types – which has previously meant only 7% of plastics was being recycled.

Wiggly Wigglers (Blakemere, Herefordshire) supplies over 900 different eco-friendly garden products, such as wormeries and other composting solutions, to companies, local authorities and individual customers. As well as being a resource for expert advice on wildlife gardening, Wiggly Wigglers’ products have an emphasis on self-sufficiency and sustainability.