An Aberdeen based business with a big idea for tackling climate change has competed against seven businesses selected from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England to win a Shell Springboard award of £40,000.
The Environmental Building Partnership Ltd (EBP) has created the Energyflo™ cell, a groundbreaking product that replaces conventional thermal insulation in buildings and could revolutionise building construction globally.
Dr Mohammed Imbabi, Technical Director of EBP and Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen said: "Legislation and market demand for better insulated buildings has already generated a lot of interest in our innovative product and winning the Shell Springboard award will allow us to advance rapidly to commercialisation. We are working in partnership with the University of Aberdeen, CALA Homes (East) Ltd and the Carbon Trust to demonstrate our product in the world's first dynamic breathing building, a new family home in Balerno, City of Edinburgh. The house will use a third of the space heating energy of the average UK dwelling and offer superior indoor air quality in an outwardly traditional looking design."
Shell Springboard provides a financial boost to a small number of UK businesses that submit the most compelling plan for a product or service which:
· will lead to greenhouse gas reductions
· is commercially viable, and
· is innovative
Last year awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 were made to nine businesses drawn from across the UK.
Judging of the seven regional finalists was carried out by a panel of independent experts who were looking for ideas that not only had potential to break new ground but also had sound financial planning and market insight. In total, over 200 small to medium sized clean technology companies from across the UK had applied for the 2007 Shell Springboard Award.
EBP will now compete against 5 other UK finalists to be named as the UK winner in London on March 6.
The Shell Springboard programme hopes to encourage small and medium sized businesses to see that climate change is a huge opportunity.
James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK said, "Businesses, both large and small, can help tackle climate change, but sometimes a lack of funds for developing a great idea can be a problem for small businesses. That's why we set up Shell Springboard to encourage and reward companies with innovative ideas that are not only good for the environment but also good for business. Congratulations to The Environmental Building Partnership for a great idea."