News

Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, was recognized as one of the leading companies in eco-innovation for its sunliquid technology for the production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues as part of the European Business Award for the Environment (EBAE). As winner of the 2015 German Innovation Prize for Climate and Environment (IKU), Clariant was eligible for this European Award that recognizes pioneers at the forefront of eco-innovation. From a total of 148 finalistst from 21 countries, an independent high-profile jury nominated 23 short-listed companies for six awards. Sunliquid is rated among the top 4 companies competing in the category process.

The jury consists of 27 experts in all fields of environmental industry, representing the public sector, private sector and NGOs. They were impressed with the sunliquid technology and noted that the process was innovative and coherent and particularly mentioned its use of agricultural residues for the sustainable and economic production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals.

»Biofuels and biochemicals from agricultural residues play a key role in leading todays economy into a more sustainable future. With this technology, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by up to 95 percent compared with fossil fuels,« explains Dr. Markus Rarbach, Head of Biofuels & Derivatives at Clariant. “The acknowledgement by the European Commissions DG Environment honors our efforts and of course we are very pleased with this highly esteemed recognition.«

The EBAE awards are held every second year, and winners are recognised in the following four categories: management, product and services, process innovation, and international business cooperation, with a special mention for business and biodiversity. The award ceremony with Joanna Drake, the Deputy Director General of DG Environment took place as part of the EcoAP Forum, on the evening of Thursday 27 October in Tallinn, Estonia.

From left to right: Joanna Drake, Deputy Director General of DG ENV., Mr Johann Fournil, Communication & Business Development Director of M2i Life Sciences, Richard Moll, Project Manager Biofuels & Derivatives at Clariant, Mr Harry Stokman, CEO, Direct Current B.V., Mr Mehmet Keskiner, Deputy General Manager of VESTEL Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Åž. and Marko Pomerants, Estonian Minister of the Environment (Photo: European Commission)