European Business Briefs: managing stormwater, breaking the law and swapping wind shares

Norwegian company Windcast Group AS has agreed to transfer shares to Vestas Wind Systems. Windcast, which supplies castings to the wind turbine industry, has a turnover of €60 million. Vestas is Windcast’s largest customer, accounting for 31% of the company’s turnover.

Agilent Technologies has produced a micro-gas chromatograph for on-site analysis. The portable kit is 10 times faster than laboratory models, and the Swiss company also offers custom-configured instruments.

Wavin Plastics Limited has developed stormwater management systems that could alleviate flooding in Europe. The UK company’s Aquacell limits outflow by providing temporary storage or soakaways for stormwater, while its Garastor® system collects stormwater from roofs and properties into an underground storage facility.

A survey of EU environmental laws has found that infringements are on the rise despite European Commission efforts to enforce green legislation.

The survey’s ‘scoreboard’ shows that not a single member state has escaped legal proceedings, with the UK coming off as the worst offender with 19 actions outstanding at the end of 2001. The number of complaints to the EU is also on the rise, with 600 made in 2001 alone.