Environmental Goods and Services Sector displays strength despite the credit crunch
October 2, 2008 by John Pickstone
Filed under Uncategorised
Over 400 businesses recently attended the E5xpo in Peterborough. An event showcasing the continued growth and strength of the Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) sector despite the current economic trend.
The event, organised by the UK Centre for Environmental and Economic Development, featured over 70 exhibitors of emerging environmental technologies. Products ranged from energy and resource efficient building materials, bio-fuel and electric vehicles, wind turbines, water pumps through to ethical print and design. Over 27 speakers delivered seminars on a range of topics from emerging low carbon technologies to exporting environmental business, and low carbon developments.
Economic downturn has had a significant impact on the growth of businesses throughout sectors in the UK economy. The East of England is home to the largest cluster of businesses within the EGS sectors; A sector which despite the current economic pressures is still displaying growth and bucking the current trend of recession.
The East of England and in particular Peterborough is fast becoming the UK’s centre of excellence for cleantech and environmental business and is well supported by EEDA, the regional development agency, Business Link as well as initiatives such as EnviroCluster and Environment East.
Phil Sheppard, Intelligence Director at The Centre for Sustainable Engineering commented that ‘E5xpo 2008 was like being at the confluence of several rivers; it was the place to be for environment sector businesses and organisations. We met people we probably wouldn’t otherwise have found who we can do business with.’
Neil Winship, Director of Alpheco said that “The stand served as an excellent venue for meeting with and putting the case for combined heat & composting to Rolton Group, Renewables East and to members of the Governments Renewables Advisory Board. I outlined our Alpheco challenge to the widespread assumption in UK, which those three evidently share, that AD is the best technology for treating food wastes.”
The E5xpo was seen to be a resounding success, providing networking and collaboration opportunities for a whole wealth of organisations. The supported gained from this years event has given us the confidence for an even bigger and more spectacular E5xpo in 2009!
