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UK Trade & Investment Canada leads business delegation to AMERICANA 2013

UK companies use environment-focused forum to pursue opportunities in Canadian low-carbon, sustainability sectors.

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UKTI book at AMERICANA 2013 forum.

UK Trade & Investment booth at AMERICANA 2013 environment-focused forum in Montreal.

The United Kingdom’s extensive experience and knowledge in the sustainability and environment sectors are being showcased this week (18 to 22 March) by UK businesses attending AMERICANA 2013, one of the world’s most influential environment-focused forums. A strong contingent of UK companies, led by UK Trade & Investment’s (UKTI) delegation, will demonstrate the country’s wide-ranging expertise in the low-carbon sector and explore new opportunities in the Canadian market.

“We are delighted to be present once again at AMERICANA 2013 and to welcome five UK companies who have developed and are deploying world-class low-carbon solutions. By showcasing our innovative clean technologies at the trade show, we want to share our knowledge and expertise to facilitate and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy in Canada and the UK. This is a great opportunity to enhance both countries’ competitiveness for a low-carbon future,” said Patrick Holdich, British Consul-General in Montreal.

UK businesses have found strong potential for partnerships across a variety of environment and energy sectors in Canada. For example, UK-based Crown Bio, most well-known for its Safe Soil Tester, is forming a partnership with DE Design and Environment, a Canadian environmental consultancy and design firm. The two companies are exploring the opening of an office together in Alberta to leverage DE’s environmental consultancy experience and Crown Bio’s innovative safe soil testing technology.

“We are very excited to be collaborating with DE in Canada to expand our business into the North American market,” said Ed Bell, CEO of Crown Bio. “We hope this partnership will provide a comprehensive suite of services to public and private sector organizations that face complicated environmental issues.”

In addition, AMERICANA exhibitor Redhills, part of the UK-based Silverdell Environmental Group, is eager to build on its recent success in Canada. The group signed a contract in January of this year with Hydro Québec, one of Canada’s largest electricity generators, to decommission Hydro Québec’s Tracy thermal power plant and oversee the parts re-sale.

The UK and Canada’s common value of pursuing low-carbon solutions and environmental services has served both British and Canadian companies well, as companies from both countries pursue collaborative opportunities across borders.

“As we saw during our recent clean technology mission to the UK, real synergies exist between our technologies and the ones developed in the UK. The fact that a delegation of UK companies will be present at AMERICANA 2013 is another clear sign of our mutual commitment to develop the commercial relationship further,” said Denis Leclerc, President of Ecotech Quebec, a leading cleantech cluster in Quebec.

The UK continues to be globally recognized as a hub for developing clean energy and supporting low-carbon innovation. The nation rose to #5 on a recent index of the world’s most attractive countries for renewable energy investment by Ernst & Young. The UK’s strong low-carbon policy framework, including a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050, is a core driver behind the country’s exceptional experience and innovations in the low-carbon market.

Alongside Crown Bio and Redhills, three other UK delegate organizations are joining UKTI this week at AMERICANA 2013 and can be visited at booth #1219. For more information contact Sarah Soetopo, UK Trade & Investment, Trade Officer – Canada Clean Technology Sector at (778-241-9194) or sarah.soetopo@fco.gov.uk.

Further Information

Read about the British High Commission and UK Trade and Investment’s work increasing business with Canada

Follow UK Trade and Investment Canada on Twitter @UKTI_Canada

Published 18 March 2013