International Business Briefs: ethical investment, gas and water plant upgrades

Canadian investment firm Ethical Funds has launched seven new socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds in response to a poll showing overwhelming support for shareowner action in Canada. The new mutual funds are screened for environmental practices, human rights, worker relations, tobacco, military weapons, and nuclear power generation. According to a September survey, 73% of Canadians feel that mutual fund companies should practice shareowner action to encourage companies to behave socially and environmentally responsibly.

The US city of Lancaster is upgrading its 12 million gallon-per-day (mgd) and 24-mgd water treatment plants by retrofitting them with low-pressure membrane technology. The plants, built in 1933 and 1955, need to be upgraded to meet upcoming regulations and increased demand. Officials are also considering bids for direct- and clarified-feed membrane systems.

Membrane specialist ZENON has received certification for its new Homespring UF100 that it claims provides better-tasting water for the home. The product uses ZENON’s patented ZeeWeed membrane technology and will be sold across Ontario from next year.

Gas supplier BOC Canada Ltd has commissioned a compressed gas facility at its hydrogen plant. The new facility will supply one million cubic feet a month of gaseous hydrogen in cylinders and tube trailers to customers throughout central and eastern Canada and in the US Northeast. Previously, the 15 tons of hydrogen produced daily at the plant was liquefied and delivered in tanker trucks to customers in Canada and the US.