Medway scientists hailed by Prime Minister for low carbon innovation
Scientists at the University of Greenwich at Medway have been praised by Gordon Brown for leading the way to a greener economy, as the world wrestles to bring down global carbon emissions at Copenhagen.
Dr Paula Carey and Dr Colin Hills have developed a technology that captures carbon dioxide and turns it into rock. It simultaneously converts contaminated soil and industrial waste into harmless pebbles which can be recycled as a construction material. It even has potential to help dispose of radio-active waste.
The scientists, who have set up a company, Carbon8 Systems, to develop the business potential, were invited to No.10 with other businesses who have embraced the low carbon economy.
Gordon Brown says: “Our transition to a low carbon economy will be a key driver of our future economic prosperity. Carbon8 Systems and Eco-Solids (another South East company) are at the forefront of this transformation. Their innovation and expertise demonstrates why the UK is one of best places in the world for low carbon business.”
Dr Carey says: “We have already produced the first concrete block with our carbonate aggregate, and are working towards getting approval from the Environment Agency. We are now in talks with the major waste management companies in the UK, with a view to securing funding for our first commercial plant. Once we have successfully commercialised here in the UK, we will explore opportunities in the US and Canada, where we already have patents, and in Europe and Australia.”
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Notes to editors
Companies from across the country met the Prime Minister on 3 December, the eve of the Copenhagen talks, to demonstrate how Britain can lead the way as a low carbon economy. Lord Davies, Minister for Trade, Investment & Small Business, said: “The UK’s lead in this area makes us well-placed to secure new business overseas and act as a global hub for low carbon products, services and technologies.”
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