Line up of European eco-heroes revealed

The shortlist of companies still in the running for the European Commission's top environmental awards has been unveiled this week.


The panel of judges for the European Business Awards for the Environment 2006 assembled in Vienna to select a dozen companies which will compete for recognition as the best in Europe.

The winners will be announced in June during the European Commission’s Green Week.

Twelve companies are competing in four categories and from across the whole of the EU and three additional candidate countries just eight nations have made it this far.

Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Spain are each represented by two companies while Austria, Hungary, Italy and the UK each have a single champion in the finals.

Announcing the shortlist, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said:

“Today the European Business Awards for the Environment are more relevant than ever.

“Europe needs companies that invest in environment-friendly innovation. They do not only contribute to winning the battle against climate change and protecting our biodiversity, but they also help make Europe more competitive.

“It is a simple win-win situation. My congratulations to the 12 finalists – they have made sustainable business models a reality and displayed extraordinary ingenuity.”

The European Business Awards for the Environment are awarded by the European Commission every two years and aim to recognise and reward European companies which set an example by successfully bringing together innovation, economic viability and environmental concerns.

The four award categories look for exemplary management practices, products, processes or international co-operation which contribute to economic and social development without detriment to the environment.

To be eligible for competition in the European Business Awards for the Environment, companies first have to succeed in the national award schemes which are organised throughout Europe every year.

This means that the companies awarded the European prize are, according to the organisers, the real cream of the crop – the most farsighted, responsible and innovative across Europe.

Companies in the Environmental Management category:

  • GE Hungary Ltd, Light Dest Factory Nagykanizsa, Hungary

    Project title: In the forefront of the world market with Environment awareness company management system

  • Sotral SpA, Italy

    Project title: Management for Eco-efficiency in Public Catering

  • Aceria Compacta de Bizkaia SA, Spain

    Project title: ACB Integrated management system

    Companies in the Product Award category:

  • VA Tech Hydro GmbH & Co, Austria

    Project title: HYDROMATRIX® Power Plant Nußdorf – New renewable energy created in historic site in urban environment

  • DTS OABE SL, Spain

    Project title: Nupilac hidro

  • Windsave Ltd, UK

    Project title:

  • Windsave Plug’n’Save wind turbine

    Companies in the Process Award category:

  • Fortum Power and Heat Oy, Finland

    Project title: Cleaner air through advanced burner design for large combustion plants

  • Volkswagen AG, Germany

    Project title: The Volkswagen-SiCon process for recycling shredder residues

  • Ten Cate Advanced Textiles BV and Color Wings BV, Netherlands

    Project title: Digital Liquidjet for textile printing, coating and finishing

    Companies in the International Co-operation Award category:

  • YIT Rakennus Oy, Finland

    Project title: South-West Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Petersburg, Russia

  • BASF AG, Germany

    Project title: Public Private Partnership between UNIDO, UNEP and BASF: Knowledge transfer in the field of eco-efficient production

  • iD-L inspired innovations, Netherlands

    Project title: RagBag®

    by Sam Bond

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