Getting the Green Light: UK Attracts Environmental Sector

The UK - which has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions to 80% by 2050 - is the location of some of the world's finest environmental research institutes. These include the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) at the University of Loughborough (which works with research institutions and industry and has external contracts in excess of £1.5million); The Energy Research Unit (ERU) at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in Oxfordshire; the Durham Centre for Renewable Energy (DCRE) at Durham University; New and Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in Northumberland; and the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), at Imperial College London, a consortium of academic partners from 15 different UK institutions at the heart of the UK sustainable energy sector, with a remit to "build a bridge" between Government, industry and academia. Plus, in October, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) - the largest generator of electricity from renewable sources across the UK and Ireland - announced it will be developing a new Centre of Engineering Excellence for Renewable Energy (CEERE) in Glasgow, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde. CEERE will help realise SSE's renewable energy goals in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere in Europe.

Groundbreaking innovations

Groundbreaking UK innovations include the recent establishment of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, a global forum providing know-how and technical assistance to help developing nations react to the threat of climate change. In November, it was announced that the Department for International Development will commit £50million to the network's funding. The Network is due to start delivering services in early 2010.

It is with great excitement that we're announcing our expansion; having grown rapidly in the US, we wanted to come to London and use the city as a launch pad to build our business across the UK and Europe

Tom Szaky

Founder and CEO

TerraCycle

International industry names are, therefore, keen to play their part in this progressive and dynamic environment. TerraCycle, for instance, is a US company specialising in 'up-cycling' - a system that turns hard-to-recycle waste material into eco-friendly household products. In September, TerraCycle announced its intention to expand its operations to the UK and revealed details of a commercial partnership with Kraft Foods UK which will see Kenco and Tassimo coffee packaging diverted away from landfill.

Global interest

Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, said: "It is with great excitement that we're announcing our expansion; having grown rapidly in the US, we wanted to come to London and use the city as a launch pad to build our business across the UK and Europe. With a partnership already agreed with Kraft Foods UK we hope to quickly raise consumer awareness in the UK around 'up-cycling'.

German global engineering and technology services company Siemens has been established in the UK for over 160 years, has a focus on sustainability issues and green technologies, and operates an Environmental Portfolio (providing solutions which make a direct contribution to climate protection). Earlier this year, work began on Siemens' new £24million Shields depot project, located near Glasgow city centre. The depot is being constructed with energy efficient building and lighting materials and technologies and, when completed in 2010, will house and maintain a new fleet of 38 Siemens Desiro Class 380 electric trains.

It is largely through innovations such as energy efficient light, transport, buildings and power that the UK will meet its tough C02 emission targets - and the engineers making it happen are right here in the UK.

Andreas J Goss

Chief Executive

Siemens plc

Then, in October, Siemens announced its development of a service to bring smart meters to the UK, working in partnership with London-headquartered company ElectraLink; and in November, Siemens Mobility, Traffic Solutions - one of the company's UK-based global manufacturing centres - was presented with the Government-backed 2009 Energy and Environment iaward to celebrate the best British achievements in science, technology and innovation. As the Poole-based centre won the award for its energy-saving, low power LED traffic signals, Andreas J Goss, Chief Executive, Siemens plc said: "It is largely through innovations such as energy efficient light, transport, buildings and power that the UK will meet its tough C02 emission targets - and the engineers making it happen are right here in the UK.

Attractive location

Other international names operating in the UK environmental field include California-based EarthTrade Water, the manufacturer of LIFE Ionizers; RecycleBank, the US environmental rewards and loyalty Company; and Closed Loop Environmental Solutions, founded in Australia in 2001, which has a revolutionary state-of-the-art plant in Dagenham capable of recycling 35,000 tonnes of bottles each year. US car company Tesla, which builds high-performance electric vehicles, also chose the UK as a base for its expansion; and, in June, opened its first regional sales and service centre in Kensington, London.

The UK's geographical position also makes it an attractive location for the renewable energy sector. Danish company Skykon Tower Solutions, a manufacturer of wind turbines, took over a wind turbine manufacturing plant at Campbeltown, Argyll, in March. In November, the company announced it had won a contract to build 152 turbines for the £500 million Clyde Wind Farm near Abington in South Lanarkshire – which will be Europe's largest onshore wind farm and provide enough power for more than 200,000 homes. Skykon will build the towers at its Campbeltown facility, on behalf of turbine supplier, Siemens, and work is expected to begin in February 2010. Nigel Brix, Vice President of Skykon, noted that the UK's market strength for wind energy had influenced Skykon's decision to buy the Campbeltown plant.