2013 Australian Cleantech Competition winners announced

The winners of this year’s Australian Cleantech Competition were announced at a gala event held this week in Sydney. The competition is a business development initiative of the Australian Government’s Supplier Advocate Program and supported by principal sponsor Autodesk.

Semiconductor company BluGlass was awarded for its development of Australia’s leading emerging technology. The company’s enabling technology for global manufacturers of LEDs and solar photovoltaic (PV) cells has the potential to enable manufacturers to produce higher-performing devices at lower cost and with less environmental impact.

Other emerging technologies were awarded in key industry sectors; solutions which will enhance the competitiveness and productivity of Australia’s key industries as well as enabling broader economic benefits. BluGlass won the Manufacturing Award as well as the overall competition, while other winners included:

• ARENA Renewable Energy Award - Specialty Coatings’ EnerSheet fibreglass composite roof sheeting with embedded thin film solar PV.
• Dairy Australia Food and Beverages Award - Z-Filter’s filtration system that separates solids from liquids by trapping them inside a single, zippered, filter element.
• Built Environment Award - Organic Response’s revolutionary lighting control system using distributed intelligence to deliver maximum energy savings with optimal occupancy comfort.
• Mining Award - Global Future Solutions’ non-toxic and non-corrosive products for the oil and gas industry.
• Alumni Award - CINTEP’s recycling shower technology.

The winners from 2011 and 2012 have reported commercial benefits from the exposure created by the competition, but the semifinalists will also have their chance in the limelight. This year’s top 30 have undergone an extensive mentoring and business coaching process and have the opportunity to participate in an Australian Government-led trade mission to key markets in Asia, scheduled for November 2013.

“The quality of the 2013 entries has been incredibly high and we believe that many of the top 30 companies will become highly successful,” said John O’Brien, managing director of Australian CleanTech. “The experience and profile that the competition provides to these emerging technology companies will help them to become Australia’s future success stories.”